As high school students grow more Internet savvy, the Web is playing a bigger role as an avenue for student free expression.
Administrators are striving to be more watchful for criticism or threats posted online by their students, disciplining those who may cross the line and sometimes ending up in court (See COURTS, page 17).
A number of incidents around the country indicate trends in student Web activities and how administrators are reacting.
'Although courts have given school officials broad authority to regulate and punish students' expression while they are in school, teachers and administrators need to recognize that the First Amendment limits their authority to play parent when the students are home,' said Kim Watterson, an attorney working for the American Civil Liberties Union of greater Pittsburgh.