14 DAY TRIAL // The UK Teachers' Union opposes an education bill that tries to combat cyber-bullying by allowing school staff to search students' electronic devices and even delete data from them.
Cyber-bullying has become a common problem, especially among young students, and as past incidents have shown it that can have very serious consequences.
Harassing a student that is already emotionally fragile, even if only on the Internet, can push them over the limit and lead to suicidal thoughts.
In September last year, an 18-year-old student at Rutgers University jumped from a bridge after his dorm roommates posted a film of his sexual encounter with a man on the Internet.
A new controversial UK education bill proposes that teachers be allowed to examine files on devices confiscated from students and even delete them if they believe their is a good reason to do so. The provisions in question read:
"(6E) The person who seized the item may examine any data or files on the device, if the person thinks there is a good reason to do so. "(6F) Following an examination under subsection (6E), if the person has decided to return the item to its owner, retain it or dispose of it, the person may erase any data or files from the device if the person thinks there is a good reason to do so."
According to the BBC, the UK teachers' union, NASUWT, characterized the powers proposed by the new bill as disproportionate.
"In many respects they are reckless and they are putting teachers into confrontation with parents and with children and young people," NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said.
It remains to be seen if NASUWT's opinion carries any weight with legislators. So far, the bill has corss-party support and is set to be introduced this autumn.