metro bureau wednesday, december 10, 2014 facebook, twitter, and their friends: effectively...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
METRO BUREAUWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends:Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues
in the Era of Social Media
Presenter:
Kevin T. Sutton
Want to download this presentation? Do it now:
www.luskalbertson.com/metrobureau
![Page 2: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
How Social Media Questions Make Us Feel …
How We Hope To Feel by Lunch Today …
![Page 3: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
How Do We Get There?
Syllabus for Today Controlling the Use of Technology First Amendment Considerations Fourth Amendment Implications Limitations on Employee Discipline Permissible Scope of Student Discipline Cyberbullying On-Campus v. Off-Campus Conduct Use of Evidence Gathered Online Relying on Social Media in Hiring
Review of Recent Decisions/Case Law
![Page 4: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Challenges
Uncertainty in Law Lack of cohesion from state to state Lack of consistency from court to
court Balance of private rights v. obligation
to community Blurred lines (public v. private)
Why? Law moves slowly Social media outlets emerge too fast Example: Snapchat Districts forced to be reactive instead
of proactive
![Page 5: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Intersecting Concepts
Free Speech
Policy
Search & Seizure
Privacy
Discipline
Safety
Hiring/Firing
Cyber-Bullying
Disruption
Evidence
![Page 6: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
We used to think we had a pretty good grasp on this stuff …
![Page 7: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
But “Social Media” is so much more than most people think …
![Page 8: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Social Media Permeates … Everything
Always On Accessible on mobile devices Live tweeting Interactive television
Universal Everyone wants to “connect” “Grandma joined Facebook!” iPhone 6 … 10 million orders
Consequences Example – game attendance Deterioration of soft skills “If you can’t say something
nice ….”
![Page 9: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Where Do We Start?
![Page 10: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
First Amendment Overview
![Page 11: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
This is Speech After All … Right?!?
Tinker v. Des Moines Ind. Sch. Dist. (1969) USSC recognizes students’ right to free speech on and
off campus Students have right to free speech unless it
“materially disrupts class work or involves a substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others”
Hazelwood Sch. Dist. v. Kuhlmeir (1980) First Amendment protections did not compel a public
school to affirmatively sponsor speech that conflicts with its “legitimate pedagogical goals” even though same speech could not be regulated outside of school
![Page 12: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Analysis of Speech
Key Question:
Does the speech from outside school walls cause a substantial disruption in
school?
If YES, discipline may be appropriateIn NO, discipline not likely appropriate
![Page 13: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Recent Cases
S.J.W. v. Lee’s Summit R-7 School Dist. 696 F.3d 771 (8th Cir. 2012)
Kowalski v. Berkeley Cty. Schools 652 F.3d 565 (4th Cir. 2011)
J.S. v. Blue Mountain Sch. Dist. 650 F.3d 915 (3rd Cir. 2011)
Layshock v. Hermitage Sch. Dist. 650 F.3d 205 (3rd Cir. 2011)
J.C. v. Beverly Hills Unified Sch. Dist. 711 F.Supp.2d 1094 (C.D. Calif. 2010)
![Page 14: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Recent Cases
Evans v. Bayer 684 F.Supp.2d 1365 (S.D. Fla. 2010)
Doninger v. Niehoff 527 F.3d 41 (2nd Cir. 2008)
J.S. v. Bethlehem Area Sch. Dist. 807 A.2d 847 (Pa. 2002)
![Page 15: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Basic Principles Extracted
Assessing a “Substantial Disruption” Use Caution Be Realistic Inconvenience not enough Embarrassment not enough Key elements
Violence Threats Safety Criminal Activity
Courts Don’t Always Cooperate
![Page 16: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Fourth Amendment Issues
![Page 17: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Internet Privacy Protection Act
Public Act 478 of 2012 Sec. 4. An educational institution shall not do any of
the following: (a) Request a student or prospective student to grant
access to, allow observation of, or disclose information that allows access to or observation of the student’s or prospective student’s personal internet account.
(b) Expel, discipline, fail to admit, or otherwise penalize a student or prospective student for failure to grant access to, allow observation of, or disclose information that allows access to or observation of the student’s or prospective student’s personal internet account.
NOTE: Sec. 3 provides similar restrictions for employers
![Page 18: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Search & Seizure - Students
Standard for Police Warrant for search
Standard for School Administrators Two-Step Inquiry [TLO v. New Jersey]
Reason to suspect student violated SCC? Reason to suspect evidence of violation of SCC exists in
the area you want to investigate/look? Confirmed by GC v. Owensboro Public Schools (March
2013)
![Page 19: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Search & Seizure
Practical Examples: Things v. Information
Things Search for Stolen iPad Search for a Weapon Search for Drugs
Information Law Not Well-Developed
• Search for Texts• Search for Photos
Consent Issues Can be addressed via policy Reasonable expectation of privacy? Use what you have at your disposal!
![Page 20: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
R.S. v. Minnewaska Area Sch. Dist.
Factual BackgroundFactors to consider to determine if search is
reasonable: The scope of the legitimate expectation of privacy at issue The character of the intrusion complained of The nature and immediacy of the governmental concern at
issue and the efficacy of the means employed dealing with itBottom Line – They Went Too FarIPPA Implications in MI
Citation: 894 F.Supp.2d 1128 (D. Minn. 2012)
![Page 21: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Chaney v. Fayette County Pub. Sch. Dist.
County-wide “Community Awareness Seminar”Presentation included picture of 17 year old female
student in a bikini found on FBPicture included student’s full name Student alleged violation of her Constitutional right
to privacy under the 4th and 14th amendments Court dismissed her claims because she had no
expectation of privacy in a picture she posted to “friends” and “friends of friends” (broad privacy setting)
Citation: 977 F. Supp. 2d 1308 (N.D. Ga. 2013)
![Page 22: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Rosario v. Clark County Sch. Dist.
Student tweets
“Mr. Isaacs is a b*tch too” “I hope Coach brown gets f*ck*d in tha *ss by 10 black d*icks” “F*ck coach browns b*tch *ss” “AND Ms. Evans b*tch *ss boyfriend too He a p*ssy *ss n*gg* tryna talk sh*t”
Student argued school violated his Fourth Amendment rights by searching his Twitter account
Court finds student had no reasonable expectation of privacy in his tweets Student had private Twitter account but court says that’s irrelevant The school accessed his tweets through one of student’s followers Where person tweets to his friends he runs the risk that the friend will
turn it over to the government Note: First Amendment protections applied
Citation: 2013 US Dist. LEXIS 93963 (D. Nev. 2013)
![Page 23: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
“Schools pay $70k to Minnesota student forcedto give up Facebook password”
Headline - March 27, 2014School officials and police made female student, Riley,
give up her password and look through her accountNo parent present Riley made post about a mean teacher’s aide and got in-
house suspension Mother of a different student found out about sexual
online chat between Riley and her son; Riley’s account was searched
Riley switched to home school because of it allNew school policy: students’ electronic records can only
be searched when reasonable suspicion that school rules have been violated
![Page 24: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
“Employer demandsFacebook login credentials during interview”
Headline - Feb. 20, 2011Officer for Maryland Division of Corrections (DOC)
forced to hand over login credentials during interview
DOC wanted login information for background checks
Difference between checking what job applicant posted publicly online and private information
Officer had highest privacy settings, likened it to government agency going through his personal mail
Federal Stored Communications Act implications
![Page 25: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Search & Seizure - Employees
Investigating computer activity is often essential; factors in determining an employee’s expectation of privacy on his/her work computer include: Whether the employer/district maintains a policy banning
objectionable use Whether the employer/district actually monitors the use of
the employee’s computer activities Whether third parties (such as IT Departments) have the
right of access to the employee’s computer Whether the employer/district placed the employee on notice,
or the employee was aware of the monitoring policies Employers should obtain consent, either through
acknowledgment or notification
![Page 26: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Practical Guidance
Staff Activities on District Network District AU and Other Policies Rule
Tougher standards Less wiggle room Easier to investigate Easier to discipline Recent examples
Porn Search at Work
![Page 27: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Responding to Employee Online Conduct
![Page 28: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Employee/Staff Issues
Problematic, Though Generally Less Pervasive Intentional v. Unintentional Recent examples
Clear Expectations Acceptable Use Policies Digital Communications & Social Media Policies
Guidance Often Ignored “I won’t be the one …” “Everyone else has it …” “No one will ever see my posts …”
Consequences, Be Damned! Freedom of speech/privacy advocates
Generational Issues?
![Page 29: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Central Question:
What are the standards that govern employee conduct?
![Page 30: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Free Speech Has Its Limitations
Assumptions Don’t Match Reality
Speech of Public Employees is Closely Scrutinized Garcetti v. Ceballos (2006)
A public employee’s speech concerning his or her job duties was not entitled to First Amendment protection
Lane v. Franks (2014) A public employer may not retaliate
against a public employee for giving truthful testimony, under subpoena and under oath, where testifying in court is not part of the employee’s job
![Page 31: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Social Media and Tenured Teachers
Relative to the World of Social Media …The Case of Anna Land
The “Jobbie Nooner Case” Middle school teacher, tenured “A simulated act of fellatio with a male mannequin” Photos posted to Internet Images spread like wildfire – community concerns, etc. Terminated by District Dismissal reversed by State Tenure Commission (Early
2009) STC decision affirmed by Michigan Court of Appeals
(May 2010)
![Page 32: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
What We Think We Know:Guiding Principles from Land
Adverse Effects Doctrine (Beebe)
Given the presumption of fitness engendered by tenure status, 'just and reasonable cause' can be shown only by significant evidence proving that a teacher is unfit to teach. Because the essential function of a teacher is the imparting of knowledge and of learning ability, the focus of this evidence must be the effect of the questioned activity on the teacher's students. Secondarily, the tenure revocation proceeding must determine how the teacher's activity affects other teachers and school staff.
[T]he likelihood that the conduct may have adversely affected students or fellow teachers, the degree of such adversity anticipated, the proximity or remoteness in time of the conduct, the type of teaching certificate held by the party involved, the extenuating or aggravating circumstances, if any, surrounding the conduct, the praiseworthiness or blameworthiness of the motives resulting in the conduct, the likelihood of the recurrence of the questioned conduct, and the extent to which disciplinary action may inflict an adverse impact or chilling effect upon the constitutional rights of the teacher involved or other teachers.
![Page 33: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
What We Think We Know:Guiding Principles from Land
Misconduct Needed Too Absent misconduct, consideration of negative
publicity surrounding a teacher's behavior would run afoul of the purpose of the Teachers' Tenure Act to protect the rights of competent teachers to teach. Thus, while we agree that it was unfortunate that students gained access to the photographs in this case, we expressly disavow any suggestion that negative publicity alone, absent a showing of underlying professional misconduct, can provide reasonable and just cause for discipline under the Teachers' Tenure Act.
![Page 34: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
What We Think We Know:Guiding Principles from Land
Adverse Effects + Misconduct =Grounds to Terminate
Specific to tenured teachersSpecific to offsite, electronic
communications, outside District network Not exactly the slam dunk we would hope for
![Page 35: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Reason to Hope?
Might Land be an aberration?Things to consider …
Just Cause v. Arbitrary & Capricious Discharge/Discipline now a prohibited subject of
bargaining More favorable STC Overall tenor of discussion, increased knowledge about
online activitiesWould the outcome be different today?
Tough to predict Above items suggest yes, but case language a challenge
![Page 36: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Illustrative Cases
Federal suit charges district’s superintendent failed to end sexting by teacher Substitute teacher / nephew of Superintendent “Thousands” of graphic messages sent through text,
email, and chat to female students, all minors Superintendent, teacher, and Board member all aware No action taken against substitute teacher … at first After substitute arrested, District terminated him Federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging sexually hostile
educational environment
![Page 37: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Geissler v. Independent School District #2154
Teacher seen viewing pornography on computerInvestigation revealed 200,000 pornographic
web site visits in 15 monthsUse of District systemTerminated; termination sustained - misconductThe frequency with which the claimant violated
the school district’s policies and the subject matter of the computer use was a serious violation of the standards of behavior the school district had the right to reasonably expect of the employee
![Page 38: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Illustrative Cases
ISD #284 No just cause to discharge teacher, even though he spent
inordinate amount of time on computer when he should have been concentrating on teaching students
Chart used by District to show time spent on web was exaggerated
Discipline not warranted under progressive disciplineMonterey County
No just cause to discharge employee who read and printed out co-worker’s email, even though email related to investigation of employee, where employee had permission to get on co-worker’s computer for anti-virus work
AUP did not provide that info on computers was private
![Page 39: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Munroe v. Cent. Bucks. Sch. Dist.
Teacher with a personal blogNegative blog posts about administration and studentsTerminated; sued alleging First Amendment
harassment and retaliationPostings were “far from implicating larger discussions
of education reform, pedagogical methods, or specific school policies” and “mostly complained about the failure of her students to live up to her expectations”
Case dismissed
Citation: 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 101571 (E.D. Penn. July 25, 2014)
![Page 40: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Rubino v. City of New York
Student drowned during field trip Next day teacher posted on Facebook “the beach sounds like a
wonderful idea for my 5th graders! I HATE THEIR GUTS!” “Friend” commented “you would let little Kwame float away” to which teacher
responded, “Yes I wouldn’t throw a life jacket in for a million!” Postings shown to administration and investigation began Teacher admitted to writing the postings at a hearing Teacher argued termination would be arbitrary and capricious; she
had clear employment history, and her comment bore no relation to teaching ability
Alleged infringement of First Amendment rights Court held termination was not arbitrary and capricious but the
punishment was not proportionate to her offense; termination was inconsistent with first amendment freedom of speech
Citation: 34 Misc. 3d 1220(A) (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2012)
![Page 41: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Medina County Board of Education (Arb)
Students added inappropriate programs (violent games) to their computers
Teacher responsible for supervisionWritten reprimand Discipline was not arbitrary and capriciousEven if not an expert in computers, teacher
should have maintained a more watchful eye on student activities
![Page 42: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Practical Guidance
Strong Policies All communication driven through District network All communication educational in nature only Dilemma – 21st Century Learning v. Inappropriate
Actions Prohibition on connecting with current students
(encourage?) Twitter assignments/communication Training / Communication of Expectations is Paramount
Need for open dialogue with staff/EA
Investigation Conversation with employee Case by Case on how hard to push
![Page 43: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Practical Guidance
Social Media in Hiring Background Checks
What are you looking for?
Beware - Discrimination Issues
Remember IPPADiscipline/Discharge
Look for nexus between conduct and educational impact
Misconduct?
![Page 44: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Dealing With Student Issues
![Page 45: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Student Issues Abound
Sampling of recent headlines … Lawsuit alleges Mississippi district
expelled him for online posting of nude photo of classmate
New Jersey district settles lawsuit with student disciplined for profane off-campus tweet about principal
Parents file claim against San Diego district after cyberbullying incident led to student’s suicide
Father of bullied student who committed suicide sues Illinois district and producers of anti-bullying video
Oregon district settles student’s lawsuit over high school dance team’s social media policy
Former student sues Minnesota district after “sarcastic” tweet leads to seven-week suspension
… from the past 5 months
![Page 46: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Keys to Student Issues
District PolicyStudent Code of ConductLimit Usage of Cell Phones in SchoolLimit Expectation of PrivacySeek ConsentApply TLO two-part analysisSeek legal counsel
![Page 47: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
On-Campus v. Off-Campus Conduct
![Page 48: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Remember …
First Amendment considerations Tinker Hazelwood
Can police off-campus speech “Substantial Disruption” Consider safety, threats, violence Nexus to school activities
![Page 49: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Nixon v. Hardin County Bd. of Educ.
Student tweeted about shooting/killing another student First Amendment concern – can schools regulate off campus
online speech by students?Held:
Speech (tweets) had no connection to school other than speaker and target being students there
Speech not at school, directed at school, or involved school time or equipment. There was no disruption to school.
School’s Motion for Summary Judgment on First Amendment claim denied
Hard to explain outcome; Court was wrong
Citation: 988 F.Supp.2d 826 (W.D. Tenn. 2013)
![Page 50: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Wynar v. Douglas Cty. Sch. Dist.
Student sent “increasingly violent and threatening” messages via Myspace from home about weapons and threatened to shoot people at school on a specific date
Threats are definitely speech that would reasonably lead school officials to “forecast substantial disruption”
Citation: Wynar v. Douglas Cty. Sch. Dist., 728 F.3d 1062 (9th Cir. 2013)
![Page 51: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Cyberbullying
![Page 52: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Cyberbullying Defined
“Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computer, cell phones, and other electronic devices”
T.K. v. NYC Dept of Ed, 779 F.Supp.2d 289 (E.D.N.Y. 2011)
“When the Internet, cell phones, or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person”
www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
![Page 53: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
How is Cyberbullying Different?
Attacks can be anonymousBullying can go viralBully does not see emotional toll the bullying
createsAbsence of monitoring / lack of knowledge by
parents, teachers24/7 in nature2010 Study – 10-18 years old
20.8% cyberbullied in lifetime 7.5% cyberbullied in last 30 days 16% of high school students cyberbullied in past year
![Page 54: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Cyberbullying Examples
Megan Meier, Missouri
Ryan Halligan, Vermont
Jessica Logan, Ohio
![Page 55: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
Responses to Cyberbullying
State laws Matt’s Safe School Law, MCL 380.1310b
District-level policiesConsider “substantial disruption” on school
environmentPractical approach to resolution, if possibleEducation
![Page 56: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Use of Evidence Gathered Online
![Page 57: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Legal Standards for Evidence
Evidence must be properly authenticated FRE 901 MRE 901
MRE 901(a): authentication is evidence
sufficient to support finding that the matter in question is what its proponent claims
![Page 58: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Illustrative Cases
In the Matter of RussellNo. 303586, 2012 Mich. App. LEXIS 1418 (Mich. Ct. App. July 24, 2012) Court allowed in evidence of mother on a website soliciting prostitution in
parental termination case The evidence was admitted because a witness confirmed that the individual
on the website was the mother through their direct correspondence In the interest of ADW821 N.W.2d 778 (Iowa Ct App 2012) Parental rights termination case Court did not allow into evidence picture from mother’s FB of a marijuana-
growing operation because the state (who offered it into evidence), could not authenticate it
The state had no personal knowledge about the picture, did not know who posted it, and had nothing to prove the mother even knew it was on her profile
![Page 59: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
Illustrative Cases
Parker v. State85 A.3d 682 (Del. 2013) Appellant argued lower court erred by entering statements posted on her FB profile She argued for the court to use the Maryland approach: social media evidence can
only be authenticated through testimony of the creator, documentation of internet history or hard drive of creator’s computer, or information obtained directly from social networking site
Ct adopted Texas approach: proponent can authenticate social media evidence using any type of evidence so long as he can demonstrate that a jury could reasonably find the evidence is authentic
People v. DabishNo. 301622, 2013 Mich. App. LEXIS 1384 (Mich. Ct. App. Aug. 13, 2013) Defendant sought to introduce emails from murder victim to show victim’s state of
mind Emails excluded because defendant could not authenticate them. He could prove his
receipt of them but he could not prove that they were written and sent by who he purported they were written and sent by
![Page 60: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Giacchetto v. Patchogue-Medford Sch. Dist.
Elementary school teacher diagnosed with adult ADHD Claims she was mocked by the principal when reported diagnosis Disability discrimination claims against the school Issue: School district motion to compel plaintiff to provide authorizations for the
release of all records from her social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) “The fact that the information [Defendant] seeks is in an electronic file as
opposed to a file cabinet does not give [it] the right to rummage through the entire file”
The fact that an individual may express some degree of joy, happiness, or sociability on certain occasions sheds little light on the issue of whether he or she is actually suffering emotional distress. If the Court were to allow broad discovery of Plaintiff's social networking postings as part of the emotional distress inquiry, then there would be no principled reason to prevent discovery into every other personal communication the Plaintiff had or sent since alleged incident.
Teacher had to produce posts that specifically related to her emotional distress claims she suffered or treatment she received in connection with them
the Court sees no basis at this time why Defendant should go through a third-party provider to access Plaintiff's social networking postings when Plaintiff has access to this information herself
![Page 61: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
The Anonymous Tip/The Provided Info
Information often comes to District without being aware of it otherwise
Take it as you get itCan’t turn a blind eyeCan’t be the parentRealistic/practical
limitations on what actions can be taken in response
![Page 62: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
![Page 63: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
Clear as …
![Page 64: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
Questions?
![Page 65: METRO BUREAU WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 Facebook, Twitter, and Their Friends: Effectively Navigating Employee and Student Issues in the Era of Social](https://reader038.vdocuments.us/reader038/viewer/2022102808/56649c9b5503460f949598ee/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
Resources/Contact
www.LuskAlbertson.com
@LuskAlbertson
www.LuskAlbertson.com/metrobureau
248-988-5695 - Direct
734-377-7400 - Cell