A 9th grade girl took to Snapchat to vent her frustrations after learning she hadn’t been selected to the varsity cheer squad at her Pennsylvania high school. While her message was explicit, “fuck school fuck softball fuck cheer fuck everything,” it certainly didn’t appear threatening. However, when one of the cheer coaches was made aware of the post via a screenshot (Snapchat posts are intended to be temporary, lasting only 24 hours), the girl was suspended from cheer activities for the entire subsequent school year. In response to the school’s decision, the girl’s parents filed a lawsuit alleging that the school was impeding her right to free speech by punishing her for comments made outside of school on a social media platform. Per a report from NBC, the school maintains it acted appropriately because the shift to remote learning during COVID-19 has “blurred the lines” between on campus and off. Among the district’s supporters is President Biden. His administration, according to the report, feels it’s up to schools to decide what speech is appropriate for students off campus. The ACLU, on the other hand, has issued a statement condemning any potential ruling that would side against the girl’s right to free speech. Quick take: As a previous Supreme Court ruling stated, students don’t forfeit their right to free speech in exchange for a public education. Where speechisn’t threatening, violent, or directing hate at a group or class of people, it shouldn’t concern educators unless it occurs on campus. The government, through this interference, appears to be attempting to socially engineer obedience. Should the US government punish children for using potty language on social media? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter or Facebook.
