No More Privacy

At Harriton High School in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, administration or staff have apparently been spying on their students via web cams on the school issued laptops. There are allegations that the school  activated the web cams to spy on students when the laptops were missing or had been stolen.

There have been other allegations that the school has been spying on one student in particular, Blake Robbins, because they thought he was “engaged in improper behavior in his home.” Even though the alleged spying has been going on for over a year now, the incident became widely discussed because the parents of the student, Michael and Holly Robbins of Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, filed a lawsuit on behalf of their son. The FBI is currently investigating the Lower Merion School District to see if any federal laws have been violated.

To me, the school has every right to be spying on their students if they suspect the student is considered to be a danger to himself or others. In this case, the school owns the computers so it’s their property. The student’s best interest should always be on the administration or  staffs minds. Administration and staff at schools across the country are always trying to protect the students.

When parents aren’t around or for some parents who just don’t care, the school steps in. If the school suspects something inappropriate is happening with their property or with their students, I believe they have the right to step in.

Many high schools have an alcohol and drugs policy that the students are asked to follow. If students are caught drinking at their homes, the school takes action so why is spying on your students while they are in possession of school property at their house any different? Students are at school about 7 hours a day 5 days a week, so I think that makes the school a type of parent. Most students are at school more than at their own house, so the school becomes their family.

Students that attend a school should be setting a good example for themselves and others in and out of school. And students can be seen as property of the schools they attend.  I don’t think any federal laws have been violated in this case. The property being used is owned by the school.  And I agree with the school to be spying on suspicious students; don’t give your parents or your school a reason to be suspicious of you and they won’t have to spy.  It all goes back to, if you wouldn’t do it at school, don’t do it at home. The laptops belong to the school, so they have every right to use them whatever way they please.

Nothing in life is ever fair or easy. I’m sure it’s not easy for school administrators to punish students but they have to do what’s best for everyone, not just one person. If people weren’t so ignorant, schools wouldn’t have to step in and take charge. If you’re underage and you’re drinking at a house party and the cops are called, you bet the school will find out. Schools have rules that are meant to be followed; some rules are more strict than others but the students best interest is always at heart.

In this age of technology, remember someone is always watching you.