I Lean Towards Censure When It Comes To The Internet

Censure and censorship are worlds apart in my mind....anyone can say anything they want on the internet as long as they are willing to face the consequences which could be anywhere from flaming to legal action. The operative word is responsibility....

Freedom and responsibility
Should students be able to say what they want, or should they be censured when they cross the line?
March 26, 2007

Students, police clash

March 24.

I find the events that unfolded at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute disturbing. As a Grade 11 student at a nearby school, I believe that the school administration greatly overstepped its authority when students were suspended for expressing their personal opinions on the Internet. Officials claim that this form of free speech constitutes "cyber-bullying," yet such opinions are expressed in school hallways every day.

So why have these individuals been singled out? It's because some staff had their feelings hurt and decided to exert their power over their students. It is hypocritical for officials to censor students when they are teaching about such things as freedom of expression. Is this not sending a negative message to teens that they have no right to express dissenting opinions? That kids should be seen and not heard?

The moment we say something that authoritative figures don't like, we are chastised for it.

Julie Mou, Toronto

Online comments were `inside joke'

March 25.

Whether or not the comments made on Facebook.com were intended to be seen by Mary Burtch, the vice-principal at Birchmount Park, is irrelevant. The fact is any reasonable person knows that when you put something in writing, you run the risk that it will fall into unintended hands. It is also clear that such comments show a lack of respect, and failure to discipline those responsible would undermine Burtch's authority and poison the environment.

For those who feel this is an issue of freedom of expression, I ask you to consider the reverse situation: What if school officials had posted derogatory and humiliating comments about students where the students were reasonably likely to see them? Would this not be worthy of discipline?

Brad Parsons should be grateful if he gets off with a suspension and the chance to learn such a valuable lesson while the stakes are relatively low. Had he done this to an employer, it very likely would have ended in his termination.

Chris Payne, London, Ont.

A comment was posted on the Internet where anyone could view it. If this was an "inside joke" meant for a restricted audience, why not post it on a website with password access, and share the password? This would be the equivalent of drawing a funny picture of the teacher and only taking it out to show the people you trust.

The equivalent of the actions committed here is writing the comment on a piece of paper and taping it to a pole on the way to school, where anybody walking by could view it. Would this run the risk of disciplinary action? So what's the difference if this action takes place on the Internet?

Joe Caruso, Woodbridge

In high school, to be critical of a teacher was just that. We criticized. We were not disrespectful, and it was usually said to a close confidant – not entered into a wide group discussion. It is not to say teachers shouldn't be held up for criticism, but the students at Birchmount more than crossed the line.

First, a "private" conversation is not held online. Second, the language used to describe the vice-principal was offensive and unacceptable. As a parent, I would have been livid with my child. She would have been escorted to the vice-principal with a well-thought-out verbal apology. Freedom of expression is not absolute. When it is hateful, offensive or disrespectful, there are, and should be, consequences.

Carla Bizruchak, Stouffville

The lesson to students at Birchmount Park, including Brad Parsons, is don't put anything in writing, unless you can live with the consequences of the whole world seeing what you write. However limited the access to these "private" comments was supposed to be, they are still cyber-bullying and defamatory. The students need to learn that conduct of this type is not acceptable and won't be tolerated – be it in a school or in an office environment.

Colette Bell, Toronto

Memo to all teens: The Internet is not a private space. It is odd, but perhaps not surprising, that young people see no paradox in "borrowing" freely from the Internet for music, essays or pictures, then become outraged when others use the personal information they so naively supply. What's more alarming is their sense that being held accountable for one's actions, especially if they malign others, somehow isn't "fair."

David Martino, Grimsby, Ont.