School District Settles Webcam Spying Lawsuits

I think the school district has definitely crossed the line on this one. It's one thing to use filtering software to make sure that the students don't go to inappropriate sites and another to photograph students in the privacy of their home.

Are they kidding they have no right to photograph these kids in their own homes. I'm glad the students won their lawsuit.

If our Government did this, we would be livid! Yes, it is a public school, but I am referring to "Local, State or Federal" law enforcement agencies.

I believe the camera's should be available in the "worse case" situations but have to be unlocked by a law enforcement agency and school administrator. A camera can be use to catch a thief or murder.

You notice they didn't discuss the "turing off" of the microphone in the above article. That, in itself, can be used for quite deadly purposes as well. If someone can "record", they can determine the likes and dislikes of an individual or their "patterns". In turn, they can use that information to develop a "specific" form of harassment. It would be similar to your best friend supplying information to harass you in public.

Also, a person could use the information to fake on-line identities and "entice" the student on a networking site. That is a bit scary as well. For example, they could determine that the student likes a certain type of woman/girl and use the information to "create a fake identity" with a picture that entices the student.

At that point, they could use the networking site to affect the audio and "black mail" the student in latter life. What if that student became a doctor, lawyer, judge, wealthy business man, etc???

What if the young male or female student was curious and tried a homosexual relationship?

I agree with "legal access" that may reduce school violence or save a life. Also, it may catch a thief and allow a computer to be returned intact. On the other hand, the video, audio, and "web surfing" should be strictly controlled. Also, the people doing the "monitoring" should be monitored. Who will monitor them?

Eventually, a database system will have to be created that can be accessed to see who was monitoring, where the student had visited, what their recordings were about, and who did the employee contact?

That is big brother. For this reason, a very special control should be in place.

I forgot about the microphone. If I had a child using a school issued computer I'd probably be a bit freaked out right now.

I agree with David and Dianne. This is like something I would expect from a Nazi. It's really that sick.

This isn't the first time I've heard of such stories. It is sad.

This is the first I've heard of something like this and I'm really amazed that any school district would be foolish enough to let something like happen.

That is a little scary that this is not the first time you've heard of a story like this Jeff. I'm a little shocked over it. I am glad I don't have any children in school yet, or I would be really freaked out right now.

Shouldn't someone be arrested for child port?!?! Which school district official would it be??

The only problem with the payout is that it will come out of taxpayers' pockets and not the people who caused the problem in the first place!