Talia Shifron
To You editor, Fused
Last month, student Avery Doninger was expelled from school for posting harsh comments about her principal on her personal online blog. Her first amendment rights were compromised and it was deemed unacceptable for her to post these comments for all to be able to see. The case is now being rethought and a connecticut lawmaker is writing up new plans, as well as a new legislation being introduced to make sure that students cannot be punished for this in the future. It would prohibit Connecticut school authorities from punishing students for anything that they say on their own personal blogs.
It is extremely important that this case was rethought because freedom of speech is one of the most important first amendment rights, and should never be compromised. This student had the complete right to say whatever she wanted to on her own personal blog. While it may have hurt the principals feelings, there is no reason that she should not have been allowed to post it.
As said in the article, students are now keeping in touch with each other through the internet and personal blogging. This student saying something on her personal blog is the same as her stating this in a text message to a friend or on the phone. Some people feel that children under the age of 18 should not be given their first amendment rights because they are not yet old enough to be responsible for them. However, if students aren't given these rights until they are 18 and already deemed adults, then how they are supposed to learn to use them responsibly? All people no matter what age still have a fright to freedom of speech as long as those rights don't compromise someone else's. It is a very good thing that this case was rethought, and new legislation is being passed for the future.
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