In one US state, girl is suing school over Facebook

In Minnesota, a 12-year-old girl, known only as RS, is said to have been punished by teachers at Minnewaska Area Middle School for things she wrote on Facebook while at home, and using her own computer.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is arguing that her First and Fourth Amendment rights, which protect freedom of speech and freedom from illegal searches respectively, were violated.

She is said to have been punished with detention after using Facebook to criticise a school hall monitor, and again after a fellow student told teachers that she had discussed sex online.

Legal papers, filed by the ACLU said: "RS was intimidated, frightened, humiliated and sobbing while she was detained in the small school room," while school staff and a sheriff's deputy read her private messages.

It went on: "RS was extremely nervous and being called out of class and being interrogated." The lawsuit says that the mother of RS had not given permission for the viewing.

A spokesman for the school district said: "The district is confident that once all facts come to light, the district's conduct will be found to be reasonable and appropriate."

The case highlights growing concern in the US about the extent to which supposedly private communications can be kept from those in authority.

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