School Law: Social Media and Apps, Cyberbullying, Privacy and Other Technology Issues

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.

1. Social Media: Monitoring, Restrictions, and Discipline
   2:00 - 2:40, W. Erik Weber
   1. Social Media Sites/Apps You Need to Know
   2. How Schools Can Monitor or Access Social Media
   3. On- vs. Off-Campus Postings and Conduct
   4. Restricting Social Media Use
   5. Disciplining Students for Posts
   6. Disciplining Employees for Social Media Posts
   7. Example Social Media Guidelines and Policies
   8. Social Media Lessons From Recent Court Cases
2. Cyberbullying and Threats: School Authority and Liability
   2:40 - 3:15, W. Erik Weber
   1. Discrimination/Harassment Laws and Cyberbullying
   2. When Schools May Be Held Legally Liable
   3. Addressing On- vs. Off-Campus Cyberbullying
   4. Disciplining Students for Cyberbullying
   5. Violence and Suicide Threats: Assessing and Managing
   6. Handling School Threats and Swatting Threats
   7. Avoiding Violations of Privacy and Free Speech Rights
   8. Sample Policies and Recent Court Cases
3. Protecting Student Privacy: Requirements for Schools
   3:30 - 4:15, W. Erik Weber
   1. FERPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, and Other Laws/Regs
   2. Schools and Student Digital Interaction Protection
   3. Avoiding Liability With Website Terms of Service and Privacy Policies
   4. Use of Online Services for Educational Purposes: Ensuring Privacy and Confidentiality
   5. When Teachers Bring Unapproved Technology Into the Classroom
   6. Electronic Security Issues and School Policies
   7. Data Breaches: What Administrators Need to Know
4. Smartphones, Laptops, Tablets, and iPads in Schools: Legal Concerns
   4:15 - 5:15, Craig D. Becker
   1. In-School Use: How Much Should You Restrict?
   2. Confiscating Phones
   3. Searching Devices: What's Legal? Hidden Traps
   4. Regulating Student Use of Devices
   5. Discipline for Sexting and Other Activities
   6. BYOD Policies and Public Records Issues for Staff
   7. Children's Internet Protection Act: What if Students Bypass Filtering Software?

Accreditation Details:

CRAIG D. BECKER is an attorney with Craig David Becker Attorney at Law, LLC, where he practices education law and criminal defense. He also practices special education law, representing students, including special needs students, who have been denied an appropriate and effective education; as well as representing students in disciplinary actions. In addition to maintaining his own firm, Mr. Becker is of counsel to the law firm of Gerstein Grayson & Cohen, LLP. He is licensed to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Becker is trustee for the Camden County Bar Association; and is a member of the Burlington County, New Jersey State, and Pennsylvania (Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee) bar associations. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

W. ERIK WEBER is a partner at Mefford, Weber and Blythe PC, where he practices in the areas of personal injury law, civil trial litigation, debtor/creditor law, bankruptcy, family law, estate and financial planning and real estate. Mr. Weber is licensed to practice in the state of Indiana, the United States District Court for both the Northern District and Southern District of Indiana, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Currently he serves as legal counsel for the Municipal City of Auburn, Auburn Municipal Utilities, Auburn Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, DeKalb County Central United School District, Smith-Green Schools, the DeKalb County Change Academy, and various other local entities. Mr. Weber is a member of the DeKalb County Bar, the Indiana State Bar Association and the American Association for Justice, the Council of School Attorneys and Municipal Attorneys. He earned his B.S. degree, cum laude, from St. Joseph's College of Rensselaer Indiana and his J.D. degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago.