Research Guides: Libertas Civics Camp 9.0: Social Media Posts On/Off Campus and Freedom of Speech

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - The First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Objectives:

Students will learn about liberties and limitations of freedom of speech that are identified in landmark Supreme Court cases.
Students will learn about ________________ and how it relates to ________________ in school.
Students will demonstrate their knowledge by creating a group project and present at the Family and Community Civics Event.

Focus Questions:

What are the key principles and protections of freedom of speech in the United States Constitution?
Why is freedom of speech important in a community or country?
How does freedom of speech affect students in school?
How does freedom of speech connect to the right to express opinions and beliefs?
How does Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L define freedom of speech?
How does Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L protect freedom of speech?
How does Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L limit freedom of speech?

Student Resources: Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.
B.L., a student at Mahanoy Area High School (MAHS), tried out for and failed to make her high school's varsity cheerleading team, making instead only the junior varsity team. Over a weekend and away from school, she posted a picture of herself on Snapchat with the caption “F*** school f*** softball f*** cheer f*** everything.” The photo was visible to about 250 people, many of whom were MAHS students and some of whom were cheerleaders. Several students who saw the captioned photo approached the coach and expressed concern that the snap was inappropriate. The coaches decided B.L.’s snap violated team and school rules, which B.L. had acknowledged before joining the team, and she was suspended from the junior varsity team for a year.
Sidelined; SCOTUS and Free Speech
Article from the Magazine "The Economist"

Social Media by Kelli S. Burns
Call Number: 302.23 BUR

Social media is arguably one of the most powerful technology-enabled innovations since the Internet itself.

Quick Read: First Amendment
Article Sections:
- The arguments for free speech
- Many types of speech
- No coverage for obscenity
- Not an absolute freedom
- Clear and present danger test
- A balancing act
- Commerce, jails, and schools
- Time, place, and manner restrictions
First Amendment Research Launch Page
Research Information using:
- Reference articles
- Case Overviews
- Primary Sources
- Biographies
- Academic Journals
- Magazines
- Newspapers
Freedom of Speech Research Launch Page
Research information using:
- Reference Articles
- Primary Sources
- Biographies
- Academic Journals
- Magazines

Teacher Resources: Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.

Brandi Levy, a Pennsylvania high school student, was suspended from the cheerleading squad after sending a Snapchat message that contained profanity over not making the varsity team. (ACLU)

Key Vocabulary:

On Campus
Off Campus
Vulgar
Lewd
Offensive
Words as Weapons

Lesson Plans:

Free Speech Essentials: 2021 Snapping Back at Snapchat
Lesson Plan: Do schools have the right to punish students for online speech when they are off campus?
Striking a Balance on Student Free Speech
Lesson analyzes multiple cases included Mahanoy Area School District v B.L. Students will explore five Supreme Court cases
with the purpose of determining if the Court’s decisions helped or hindered defining “protected
speech” for students in public school environments.