Our view: Facebook limits have few friends
August 28, 2011 by admin
Filed under Lingerie Events
August 28, 2011
Our view: Facebook limits have few friends
Sun Aug 28, 2011, 08:26 AM CDT
Add Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem and Gov. Jay Nixon to the long list of Missourians who have just “unfriended” a new Missouri law that prohibits teacher-student conversations through social networking sites such as Facebook.
The law was set to take effect today, but, according to an Associated Press report, Beetem issued a preliminary injunction blocking it until at least February, saying the restrictions “would have a chilling effect” on free speech rights.
A few hours later, Nixon said he would ask lawmakers to repeal the restrictions during the already scheduled special session that starts on Sept. 6.
We agree that the provisions in the legislation regarding online communication are confusing and downright uninformed. Social media has become another tool for a teacher to use to connect with students regarding classroom assignments.
The online component of the bill is the fly in the ointment. Other provisions of the bill require schools to share information with other districts about teachers who have sexually abused students and allow lawsuits in cases where districts fail to disclose that information. Those provisions were supported by legislators and teachers alike and should stand.
The social networking provisions would hurt teachers who are just trying to find new ways to engage students.
Just as troubling is the restriction on First Amendment rights.
“The breadth of the prohibition is staggering,” Beetem wrote in his order on Friday.
No matter what line of business you are in these days, you communicate with customers and clients via some form of online networking.
Why should teachers be any different?
