PRESENTATION OUTLINE
What about freedom of speech?
Under what circumstances is students’ online “speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Under what circumstances is online speech not protected (i.e., a school can order a student to stop, and issue punishment)?
Can even protected online speech result in criminal charges? Under what circumstances? What kind of criminal charges can result?
Even if online speech is legal (protected by The First Amendment), do individuals have a separate, personal ethical obligation to avoid certain online behaviors? If so, what kinds of things should not be done online?
What lessons do you take away from the five student criminal cases that we discussed?
How do you think each of the following individuals felt in each case:
Accused student(s)
Parents of accused student(s)
Classmates of accused student(s)
Adult or youth victim(s) of students’ online behavior
Law enforcement
General public
Do you think the judge made the right decision in the Phoebe Prince case, the Seattle cyberstalking case and the cases mentioned in the Star-Telegram editorial? Why or why not?
Do important people in your life talk with you about the dangers of certain online behavior?
Do young people fully understand the consequences of their online activity? Why or why not?
What did you gain from reading others’ lists of “netiquette” rules? Which rules did you like/not like? Which rules do you think young people your age most often don’t follow?
Which of these rules do you personally follow? Do you plan to change anything you’re currently doing online based on these guidelines (this could include not supporting others whose online behavior concerns you)? Are there other guidelines you would recommend adding to these lists?
Which of these rules do you personally follow? Do you plan to change anything you’re currently doing online based on these guidelines (this could include not supporting others whose online behavior concerns you)? Are there other guidelines you would recommend adding to these lists?
(If teachers want to pair up or group students) Did you agree with your partner/group about which rules should be on the list? Did you decide to add new rules?
What can we do in our school and community to encourage students to follow these ethical guidelines?
