Some states offer programs that provide free laptops for homeschoolers. Hackers, stalkers and viruses are always a concern for parents whose kids are online, but a new concern has arisen; school administrators accessing student's laptop webcams in order to monitor their activities even when they're not in school.
Should schools be allowed to cyber-stalk their own students? Are homeschoolers with state-issued laptops susceptible to the threat of personal invasion via webcams programmed to send audio and video footage straight from a student's home?
Free Laptops for Homeschoolers
Virtual schooling programs with online homeschool curricula are offered through the public school system in many US states. K12, Connections Academy and Kaplan Internet High School are offered in most states at no charge. In the UK, Home Access provides low income homeschoolers with free laptop computers.
Funds normally used to finance a student's public education are diverted to fund the online curriculum and the rental of a laptop for one year. Depending upon the state's laws, enrollment in these programs deems a child "public schooled." In states with specific homeschooling laws, it's wise to weigh the pros and cons carefully before enrollment.
Schools Spying on Students With Laptop Webcams
A class action lawsuit has been filed in Philadelphia, where school administrators are accused of activating a student's webcam and recording him at home with his family. On Digital Nation, in a February 2, 2010 episode of Frontline [PBS, 2010], around 33 minutes into the program a middle school administrator boasts that he has access to students' webcams and even shows reporters images of teens, presumably without their consent. In addition to filming students via webcam, administrators have access to their files and can even "see" their on-screen activity.
Video Surveillance to Protect Homeschooled Kids From Abuse
Public school officials often state that homeschooled children are at risk because no one can see them. When children go to school, teachers and other administrators are trained to look for signs of abuse and report them to child protective services. Some people fear that liberal homeschooling laws will allow abused children to go unnoticed. Free laptops for homeschoolers could be used by the state to provide audio and video recordings of children in their home, to be reviewed by school administrators or child protective services, and possibly, used in court.
In the United States, the fourth amendments should protect families from unreasonable search and the fifth amendment should protect anyone from having such footage used against them in court. However, a contract between the state or school district and the family could easily include an elective waiver of those rights.
References:
From the Fourth Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated...
From the Fifth Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights
... nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself...
Robbins vs. Lower Merion School District
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
