Freedom and Privacy

Coatney - "Intellectual Freedom" by Helen R. Adams, pg. 43-66
School librarians have a high level of responsibility when it comes to intellectual freedom.  They have to maintain their knowledge about this topic, so that enforcing rules and teaching online freedom and privacy are relevant and up to date.  A lot of what the school librarian does is just provide access and protect the students' right to that access.  This comes into play when parents and/or law conflicts with educating students in today's technology and online tools.  When developing the library collection as a whole, the school librarian must censor herself to not prejudice against any library materials that students may need access to.  The librarian must also set up a solid challenge procedure for when library materials are challenged by students and parents.  This includes planning ahead, keeping the principal informed, forming a reconsideration committee, and knowing how to respond to the media.  In all this, it is most beneficial to the school librarian to build positive relationships and gather support from administration, staff, and parents, so that when the fight comes, the librarian has plenty of back up.

Knowledge Quest, Vol. 39, No. 1, "Teens and Privacy: Myths and Realities" by Francis Jacobson Harris, pg. 74-79
In her article, Harris draws attention the fact that adults are more concerned about the external threats to teen privacy online.  For example, adults worry about sexual predators, and "technopanic," or teens' lack of knowledge about external threats online.  Teens themselves worry more about how they stand in regards to their peers.  In reality, privacy threats are often more direct, including emailing, messaging, and chat, all of which teens are typically smart to avoid an unknown source. Teens should also be more concerned with possible online privacy when it comes to applying for jobs or schools.  Adult figures should teach teens that potential admissions officers or employers can make decisions based on teens' Facebook pictures and other social media sites.  Since social media sites are now a part of teens' lives, school librarians are aptly placed to address these issues.  School librarians can look at school filtering policies, consider alternatives such as mobile devices, online gaming communities, and virtual worlds, and teach safety training that "reflects reality and enables students to develop positive digital footprints to enhance rather than limit future opportunities" (Harris, 78).

Knowledge Quest, Vol. 39, No. 1, "'Tag! You're It!' Playing on the Digital Playground" by Diane de Las Casas, pg. 80-82
Unlike the outdoor playground-loving youth of yesterday, today's youth spend most of their free time using technological devices.  Since her daughter has her own cooking videos and website, de Las Casas monitors her daughter's online presence.  However, schools do not have the same ease in monitoring their students - online access is ruled by district policy and federal and state law.  This results in a battle over online access in pitting teaching technology skills against technology safety and privacy.  As a result, schools should make sure to tailor access appropriately each to the elementary, middle, and high school.  Just like on the playground, adults should teach children to explore and play, while simultaneously teaching them how to play safe.