Is it legal for the school to read my emails, text messages, or facebook?

[Lynn]

To begin, I have not done anything bad and am not currently being disciplined in school. I am simoy a 14 year old curious about my rights.

So, can the school demand to see my emails, texts messages, or personal face book info. I'm talking messages I sent privately yo friends via facebook (and I only have 8. They're all close friends st my school).

But is it legal for them to demand my password or device to go pawing through my devices? Do they have to consult with law enforcement first? I would feel uncomfortable giving that info to school administration, as I go to a small school and teachers gossip. I would fear my reputation might be damaged. What are my rights in said situation?

[Tom]

absolutely not. they need a court order for that.

[Cantankerous]

Your parents would be in charge of what the school could and could not do. As a parent I would not give away any passwords or allow access to my child's personal email text or Facebook messages without a court order.

If you encountered this situation in school you should say "That is my parents property and you are not allowed to access it without their permission".

[Rdrnnr]

if you are using the school computer to do get on your email, FB etc. yes if you don't close the window and erase your password from the computer. If you are talking about emails, messages etc. you sent from your computer, no.

[davidmi711]

Yes they can. They serve in place of your parents and can do pretty much anything your parents can do. If you do not want them looking through your devices, leave them at home.

[Inda Cloud]

Yes they can. So if you wouldn't want grandma reading it, don't put it online. The internet, your phone is not private. All they need is probable cause.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionar...o+parentis

[ASKBiblitz]

Interestingly, in most jurisdictions schools have authority to make their own rules about such things. The rules must be appropriate of course and school officials must act reasonably. This is a subjective burden which means you may be able to fight depending on circs. It really depends on why they want access and whether they sought less invasive means to obtain the information. Moral: If you don't want to risk losing it or having it fall into the wrong hands, leave it at home. If you don't want the world to see it, for goodness sake, don't post it online where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.

[The Great Quizoo]

None. Schools are not law enforcement, they have the right to search you.

[Michael E]

You could refuse to give them the passwords that they seek.
What will they do?
If they get tough, see if you can hold out until they break two of your fingers before giving them the info.

BUT, if you are using their router or WIFI then they do have a right to read what passes through their equipment.

[ornery and mean]

If you use these services on school equipment ... they will have access to them! Most of the school systems are bugged with key loggers, "big brother" software, and a whole lot of other "snooping" tools.

If you violate school rules by bringing and using electronic devices in school ... they can confiscate them and search them for evidence of violation of school rules.

Want to be 100% sure the school can never access your personal web spaces?

NEVER log on to any of these services using school equipment,.

NEVER bring your personal electronic devices that have accessed these spaces on to school property for any reason.

TELL your friends to do the same, keep personal electronic messages out of the school. That way the school does not have a foothold to get into your personal space.