• Who actually owns the web page?  If the author libels someone on his or her page, who is responsible for what was written?  The author (student) or the ISP provider (school)?  Should schools try to control content of what is placed on the server?  If so, is this in violation of student first amendment rights?
• Should the schools have editorial rights on what is published on their server? Is this an infringement on student first amendment rights?
• Can student privileges to use the Internet be revoked?  Should the Internet be used for educational purposes only during school time?  Do schools have the right to control how students use their network?
• Should students be permitted to link externally via the school server?  If so, should their be filters to block pornography and other questionable subject matter?  If a school does not allow students to link externally, are they taking away the opportunity to access all kinds of information, and as a result limit students educational experiences?
• Many schools mission statements include a statement about life-long learning.  Does life-long learning mean that students are expected to learn beyond the curriculum?  If so, should students be allowed to create web pages for whatever reason or purpose they would like? Should students only be permitted to create web pages in the context of a class assignment that is in some way related to the curriculum?

The purpose of this site is not to take a position on any of the above questions, but instead to provide you with information and links that support both sides of each argument.  Hopefully this will enable you to make a well-informed decision on your stance on each subject.

Student Web Sites and First Amendment Issues
http://www.gigalaw.com/articles/2000-all/morris-2000-09-all.html

The "Nuremberg Files" Web Site: What Constitutes an Online Threat?
http://www.gigalaw.com/articles/2000-all/morris-2000-02-all.html

Student Press Law Center
Advocate for Student-Free Press Rights and provides advice and legal assistance at no charge.
http://www.splc.org/

First Amendment Schools
Educating for Freedom and Responsibility
http://webserver2.ascd.org/web/firstamendment/FLASHINTRO.cfm

Student's Rights: American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU Freedom Network
http://www.aclu.org/issues/student/hmes.html

Internet Libel Court Cases
http://www.phillipsnizer.com/int-defam.htm

Communication Decency Act
http://www.sandiego.edu/~abanovac/

Non-Trivial.Com
What About Censorship of the Internet?
http://www.non-trivial.com/f_cda.htm

Dangerous Precedents
London-based ISP Settles Libel Case Over Usenet Posting
http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/DailyNews/demon000331_segan.html

Missouri teen who criticized school on Web page sues over suspension.
http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=9942

FEN: Schools
http://www.freeexpression.org/schools/schools01.html

Free Expression Network
http://www.freeexpression.org/

Internet Free Expression Alliance
http://www.ifea.net

Cyber Behavior Research Center
http://www.cio.com/research/behavior/

SafeTeens.Com
Why Kids Need SafeTeens.Com
http://www.safekids.com/safeteens/

SafeKids.Com
At SafeKids.Com you'll find tips, advice and suggestions to make family's online experience fun and productive!
http://www.safekids.com/index.html

Internet Advocate
A Web-based Resource Guide for Librarians and Educators Interested in Providing Youth Access to the Net
http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/%7Elchampel/netadv.html

Intranets:  A Wise Choice for Schools
http://www.pwc.k12.nf.ca/bricketts/e6620/intranets.html

Intranets: What Are They and is There a Place for Them in Education?
http://www.soton.ac.uk/~cbltwork/bown/foun/

Intranets in Education
http://tech.irt.org/articles/js137/index.htm