Schools should respect students' privacy for what they post online. /Creative Commons

In today’s world, social media is practically an extension of ourselves. From sharing memories to voicing opinions, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) are where students express their identities and engage with the world. But what happens when a student’s online activity clashes with school rules? Some schools are extending their disciplinary reach into the digital realm, punishing students for posts made outside of school hours and off of school grounds. This is a dangerous trend that threatens free speech and sets a troubling precedent for institutional overreach.

The argument for schools punishing social media posts often centers on maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment. Cyberbullying, hate speech, and threats clearly have no place in our society, and schools have a responsibility to address such behavior when it disrupts the educational process. However, the line between genuinely harmful online activity and protected free speech can be blurry.  Are we truly creating a better learning environment by policing students' personal expression, or are we simply punishing unpopular opinions?

The courts became involved when families argued whether schools should police social media use outside of school hours. 

In an article by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, EFF states that “the Supreme Court has long recognized the importance of protecting student speech, even when it is unpopular or controversial.” The landmark “Tinker vs Des Moines” case established that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” While schools can regulate speech that is disruptive or violates the rights of others, this power is not unlimited. Extending school authority to off-campus social media activity risks infringing on students' fundamental rights.

Eliza Akinoa, a senior at Kealakehe High School, said, "I don't think schools should have any say on how much of our personal life we choose to share on social media. However, I do find some situations appropriate for schools to intervene and face some kind of consequence." For example, some students choose to spread their hatred for others online rather than publicly fighting, and they believe that since they aren't directly saying it, then it shouldn't be a problem.  I believe in that case the student's parent or guardians should take ownership and punish their student, then they should get the police to help, but I think the schools should have no say in what happens." Akinoa also goes on to say that she understands that online bullying is a common form of harassment, but what happens outside of school should stay outside of school, and that she uses social media for a type of "current life update" for friends she doesn't get to see as often.

Karlie Kahalioumi, a senior at Konawaena High School, said, “Social media represents a student's personal interest and activities, which the school should not interfere with, as it doesn’t reflect how they perform in school.” Kahaliomi also believes that students should be held accountable by their parents or the legal system for what they post on social media, not the school.

Furthermore, attempting to regulate students' social media activity raises serious concerns about privacy and due process. Schools are essentially acting as arbiters of online morality, judging students' character based on posts in their digital lives. This can lead to unfair punishments based on misinterpretations or a lack of understanding of online culture.

Zion Casuga, a senior at Konawaena High School, said, "The school should not punish students for what they post on social media. If what the kid posts is harming other students, then the kid's parents should be responsible and take action to punish their kid. If the kid posts something bad during school hours, then the school should warn the students' parents, but if the student posts something that is personal and not harming anyone, then the school should not invade their privacy.”

Some argue that schools have a responsibility to prepare students for responsible citizenship, and that includes teaching them how to behave appropriately online. They believe that by setting clear expectations for online behavior and punishing violations, schools can help students develop good digital citizenship skills that will benefit them in the long run.  Additionally, some argue that schools are justified in intervening when a student's online behavior creates a hostile environment for other students, even if the behavior occurs off campus.

Nevertheless, I believe schools should not punish students for their online social media activity because it interferes with their freedom of speech, which is a cornerstone of a democratic society. The digital world is a primary space for young people to express themselves, explore their identities, and engage with the world around them. Punishing students for their online posts, especially when those posts occur outside of school hours and off school property, can hold back open expression and critical thinking. Parents and the legal system, rather than schools, should typically be responsible for addressing students' online behavior, ensuring a balanced approach that respects both students' rights and community standards.

In conclusion, schools should not have the right to punish and police students for what they choose to post on social media. The parents or guardians of the student should be responsible for punishing the student. When students post on social media, they are expressing who they are and their personalities. Overall, students should not be punished by the school for what they post on social media.