High School principal sues students over fake MySpace page

Filed under: Internet, News, Social Software

High School principal sues students over fake MySpace page

by Brad Linder Apr 10th 2007

A high school principal in western Pennsylvania is suing four former students who allegedly created a fake MySpace profile for the principal. He claims the page, which stated that he smoked pot, kept a keg of beer behind his desk, enjoyed pornography, and had sex with students, hurt his reputation and earning potential.

One of the students was suspended after the principal first learned of the profile. That student sued, saying the MySpace page was protected speech under the First Amendment.

Now the principal, who is currently at a different school is suing back for unspecified damages.

The thing is, it's awfully easy to create a fake MySpace page. It's probably too much to expect that anyone who fears they may be defamed in some way would create their own page first as a preemptive measure. But maybe we just need to not take things written on websites any more seriously than notes scrawled in bathroom stalls.

[via Techdirt]

Tags: hermitage, hickory high school, HickoryHighSchool, lawsuit, myspace

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Phil said 10:03AM on 4-10-2007

But maybe we just need to not take things written on websites any more seriously than notes scrawled in bathroom stalls.?

Is it my imagination or have I seen numerous articles in the past detailing how Hiring Departments of companies have routinely passed on applicants based on what their blog/MySpace pages say about them? This guy has the basis for a good libel suit, I think.

Scott McLeod said 10:04AM on 4-10-2007

Readers interested in this post might also want to view my online presentation, The Administrator's Guide to Cyberbullying, at

http://tinyurl.com/2ynpvz

in which I discuss the fact that all but one of the cases so far on this topic have gone against the school...

Banquo said 10:04AM on 4-10-2007

Since when is slander protected speech? I think the little nitwit is soon going to find that out.

alison mcnair said 2:11PM on 4-10-2007

Well i dont think the principal should have sued the students because lots of kids joke and make rude and untrue statements about facualty at their school! Then again the students should have never posted those comments on the internet!

Bert said 3:00PM on 4-10-2007

I think it's time to put them on double secret probation!

D said 12:03PM on 4-11-2007

The principal should have a case. The students deserve to be punished by the courts for slander. They need to be taught a lesson.

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