School Will Suspend Students That Have a MySpace Profile
Posted on March 23, 2007
The Detroit News is reporting that a Michigan Catholic school called St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School will no longer allow students that have MySpace profile to attend the school.
Students at a suburban Catholic school are being ordered to take down their photos, snappy comments, or anything else they may have posted on MySpace.com.It may sound like a big overreaction to deny students access to the school just because they have a MySpace profile but this is what is happening. The article cites a country sheriff and a local parent who both agree with the school's decision. MySpace is not the only social network on the Internet so the ban won't even necessarily prevent the kids from using social networks. Still the ban may prevent naive high school students from posting stuff on a MySpace profile they may regret later when applying to college or trying to get a job.Friday is the deadline for students at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School to follow orders or risk suspension. School Principal Sister Margaret Van Velzen sent letters home to parents this week saying, in part, that if families allow children to continue their MySpace.com sites, they will not be allowed to return to school. The school plans to use its computer-savvy staff members to monitor the site for student activity.The principal declined comment, but St. Hugo office manager Judy Martinek said the principal just wants to keep the students safe.
"We've stated our position and we hope all students are in the process of taking down their sites by tomorrow," said Martinek.