[Freedombox-discuss] School intimidates girl to give up Facebook password

["Luis A. Morán Morales"]

Hello, gang,

I think this article is germane to the discussion and it clearly 
illustrates one of the many reasons that we need the FreedomBox: 
protecting one's digital communications from unreasonable search. At 
least all this girl got was intimidation and embarrassment from school 
officials (I'm not saying such a thing is justifiable; it's deplorable 
and deserves the strongest criticism possible). I shudder to think what 
a girl —or an activist or anyone who authorities deem as persona non 
grata— in a dictatorial regime would've been made to suffer in order to 
give up her password.

The situation is particularly scary because I consider what they did to 
that girl a form of "thought crime" punishment simply because she 
"thought out loud" by posting on Facebook.

Up against the Wall! Should district be allowed to demand 
middle-schooler's Facebook password?
http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/13/10657012-up-against-the-wall-should-district-be-allowed-to-demand-middle-schoolers-facebook-password

I find it sad that not only do kids have to deal with bullying from 
their peers, but now they also have to endure bullying from school 
officials who want to (illegally, I'd argue) sift through their social 
media accounts in the name of "maintaining order" in school. I also 
found the prudishness of the parent complaining that the accused girl 
was talking about sex with her daughter quite laughable. Twelve-year-old 
kids talking about sex?! No, really?! Who would've thunk! Isn't 
sexuality one of the main (perfectly normal and natural) physiological 
preoccupations of Homo sapiens once we hit the raging hormone stage of 
development known as puberty?

According school officials, the girl's parents gave permission for the 
school to get her login info. Are there any parents on the list whose 
children use Facebook and other social media? What are your thoughts?

And on a related note:

When a prospective employer wants your social media passwords
http://www.askamanager.org/2012/01/when-a-prospective-employer-wants-your-social-media-passwords.html

-- 
Luis A. Morán Morales
https://identi.ca/lamm

Use software that respects your freedom. Visit the Free Software Foundation to learn more.
http://www.fsf.org/