FIRE Slams Redondo Union High School for Censoring Students' Off-Campus Speech
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has reprimanded Redondo Union High School (RUHS) for infringing on students' First Amendment rights. FIRE's September 30, 2022 letter highlighted the school's Student Athlete Social Media Agreement and Athlete Code of Conduct as unconstitutional due to their vague and overly broad restrictions on student speech, both on and off campus.
FIRE reminded RUHS that its authority to regulate off-campus speech is limited. The school had disciplined students for comments on the RUHS Swim Instagram account, with one student even facing a permanent suspension from the swim team, although this was later reversed. The school's policies require students to post only 'positive things' and conduct themselves positively at all times, which FIRE argues is a violation of students' free speech rights.
FIRE warned that blocking accounts and deleting comments on school social media can amount to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. The organization urged RUHS to revise its policies to comply with the First Amendment, ensuring that students' off-campus speech is protected.
FIRE's intervention follows RUHS's disciplinary actions against students for social media comments. The school is urged to amend its policies to respect students' First Amendment rights and avoid future infringements.
