Back in September, we discussed in this blog that a firm called Geo Listening is teaming up with school district clients, mainly in California, to monitor and analyze students' posts on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Now, Richard Sheehan, the school superintendent in Glendale, CA says using the service has saved the life of a student who was talking online about committing suicide. Other similar services are springing up that allow schools to access, among other things, reporting tools that allow users to search key words connected to cyberbullying and drug use, and to see whether students are researching topics about dangers such as school violence.
So, should all districts be thinking about monitoring student behavior online? Well, as also discussed in September, the whole issue is fraught with logistical and legal challenges. Many people, old and young, feel that schools need to respect boundaries and the First Amendment, and very few school districts have the time, money, or the interest in becoming mini NSAs. What are your feelings on the issue?
Comments