[K12OSN] OT: "MySpace.com" or "policies for when computer use leads to assault and battery on campus"

[Quentin Hartman]

cliebow at midmaine.com wrote:
> Yes i think termination could be very useful...chuck
>>
>> These types of sites are banned from our computers and can lead to
>> computer use suspension ot even termination altogether.
>>

We also ban myspace.com, though not for reasons nearly as dramatic as what
is described below. Basically it proved to be too much of a distraction
and the teachers at the HS requested the block. To answer the core
question regarding what policies and procedures we have in place, it
basically boils down to anything that we (the district) feel is
distruptive to the educational environment is potentially blockable. As
the Internet access at school is provided solely for it's usefulness in
education we are within our rights to block anything that does not further
that goal.

>> On Tue, 24 Jan 2006, Steven Santos wrote:
>>
>>> Slightly off topic, but since I can't think of a group that would know
>>> more
>>> about this...
>>>
>>> A school in the area has been hit with a rash of in school assaults
>>> over
>>> things that have been posted to myspace.com, and specifically things
>>> posted
>>> by students claiming to be other students.
>>>
>>> Case in point, one student was contacted by what he thought was his
>>> girl
>>> friend telling him she had been sexually assaulted by another student.
>>> When
>>> the girlfriend isn't in school the next day (due to a scheduled ortho
>>> appointment) the boyfriend proceeds to beat the crap out of the other
>>> boy in
>>> school.
>>>
>>> Further investigation showed the myspace account that sent the message
>>> was a
>>> complete copy of the girlfriends account, with a slight, and unnoticed
>>> alteration in the username (name1211313 instead of name121313) used to
>>> help
>>> pull off the deception.
>>>
>>> The school has had 5 or 6 other instances not unlike this one over the
>>> past
>>> 60 days where assaults have taken place, and 15 or so that they were
>>> able to
>>> avert. Criminal prosecution in these cases is often difficult, as the
>>> person
>>> committing the actual assault is often also a victim, and tracking down
>>> who
>>> is behind it is proving to be almost impossible. I should also note
>>> that
>>> the
>>> myspace postings are taking place off school grounds.
>>>
>>> What policies and procedures do people have in place, or could your
>>> recommend to deal with these types of issues?
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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-- 
-Regards-

Quentin Hartman
Technology Coordinator
South Lane School District
Cottage Grove, Oregon
V (541)767-3778
F (541)767-3041
www.slane.k12.or.us