Judge Tom’s Response:
Great question, Haley. You raise an important First Amendment concern about free speech and freedom of assembly. In other words, your right to be with your friends and join a group, club, chat room, etc. assuming your parents approve.
Assuming you didn’t write or contribute to the message to Mr. Zeoli, you should calmly explain your involvement with it. Not everyone is familiar with social networking sites – he may not understand that the names and pictures that appear on a web page are not all part of a message he receives. Ask for a meeting where you and your parents can sit and discuss the situation. Let us know what happens. Good luck.

Judge Tom’s response:
Yes, in most states, a school may impose discipline for violations of school rules even if the conduct occurred off-campus. If it’s a school-related event, field trip, away-game, etc. they do have the authority to impose a consequence for breaking a rule.

Judge Tom’s response:
Devin, most schools don’t skulk through social networking sites looking for students violating school rules. There’s little time and reason for such behavior. But when alerted to an offensive post or one that constitutes cyberbullying, for example, they are compelled to take action.

While on the subject, be sure to clean up your online pages before applying for a job, college admission, scholarship, etc. Google yourself and see what’s out there with or without your picture. Employers, colleges and universities may be checking before deciding whether to hire or admit you. Your future is at stake here.