Viewers Say Webcams on School Issued Laptops Violated Students' Rights
Disturbing and anger were the emotions most felt by viewers while watching video
Flemington, NJ, February 23, 2010 – A new media study among 653 viewers of a FOX News video clip featuring a story about a Pennsylvania school that monitored students at home through laptop webcams revealed that an overwhelming majority of viewers (93%) reported that the school violated students’ rights to privacy.
The study was conducted during February 2-4 by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website to obtain viewers’ perceptions of incident in which a student was accused of selling drugs as a result of photos that were taken of him at home through the laptop’s webcam. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.
Viewers reported that disturbing (78%) and anger (55%) were the emotions they felt most while viewing the Fox News video clip. In addition, favorability for school issued laptops for home use declined from an average rating of 4.5 to 3.6 after viewing the video. The majority of viewers (80%) reported that the student accused of selling drugs was holding up candy in front of the computer.
Among the findings:
Do you think the school violated this student’s rights of privacy when watching him outside of school on the laptop’s webcam?
Please indicate how favorable you are of schools issuing student laptops for home use, using a scale of 1-7 where 1 represents, “Not at all favorable” and 7 represents, “Extremely favorable.”
|
|
Mean
|
|
Before Video
|
4.5
|
|
After Video
|
3.6
|
Do you think this school student was selling drugs when being taped by his school’s laptop?
|
|
Total
|
|
Yes, I think he was selling drugs
|
20%
|
|
No, I think he was holding candy
|
80%
|
Which of the following emotions did you feel while viewing the video? Please check all that apply.
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|
Total
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|
Anger
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55%
|
|
Inspiration
|
1%
|
|
Sadness
|
18%
|
|
Skepticism
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28%
|
|
Confusion
|
14%
|
|
Disturbing
|
78%
|
|
Embarrassment
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10%
|
|
Pride
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1%
|
|
Happiness
|
1%
|
While viewing the video, participants indicated their perceived levels of believability by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.
Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flemington-NJ/MediaCurves/86691908820
HCD Research is a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. MediaCurves.com® (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.
I was a little upset to learn they did this without telling anyone. Screenshots of personal information can be a violation of your identity. If this kid was ordering something on amazon with his parent's credit card, well, that CC # is now an image file, and a breach of security.
Personally I understand the whole point but why not just put a GPS on the PC if they were so concerned about them disappearing. They did not disclose any of this and that is where the problem lies. Without disclosing their secret software they are liable for any damages that have been caused by this.
I have no real opinion as to whether or not this student was displaying candy or drugs. In either event the violation of his privacy is ridiculous.
WOW that is some disturbing stuff.
If a laptop is being "borrowed" the rules and regulations of using that laptop should be clearly indicated to the borrower. It would not be far fetched for a teen girl to have the laptop in her room to do homework, wouldn't it capture her dressing and undressing if she were not aware that the webcam was on? What would the school say then? If the users of the laptops had no knowledge that they were being filmed...that is a crime.
I'm ver concerned about the school violating the students rights. The school involved can't be the only one using this type of software.
A full investigation is warented.
The school system should be punished for their actions.
It is up to the parents and law enforcement to deal with students outside of school. In school stusdents can be monitored by teacher's, etc. As a teachers of 38 years we need to hold parents accountable for their children. Too many parents expect the schools to take over their role of parenting.
I am a bit surprised that a school would be so ignorant to do such a thing. Very much so a violation of privacy and personal rights as it had nothing to do with the well being of the property of the school (laptop)
by Vinicius (Anonymous User)
on Saturday, March 3, 2012 @ 12:28:53 AM (
#7427)
Windows Messenger and it's successors ONLY run on Windows.Linux has many avtnreatiles to Windows Messenger, like Pidgin, Gaim Kopete, for example.Just look in the Program listings for an already pre-installed IM client.
I'd like to hear from the school in question. I believe they do have the right to protect their property by using whatever audio/video capabilities the laptops have. But if there's no suspicion of foul play, they shouldn't be able to just "peep."
even if that student was taking drugs it was wrong to video him this should be up to the parent. A student could of been undressing or taking a shower in the privacy of his own room.
Before watching this video I was in favor of schools giving children lap tops to use for school work. Some people can't afford computers , so I thought this was a good idea. I don't think schools should be able to spy on students and it made me very angry to know that they did.
I feel that if the school made it clear that they would be monitoring the students using the webcam program then I wouldn't be so disturbed by this. But this seems sort of like the students were being set up.
anything goes nowadays, right?
I would be okay with the school monitoring the activity of the child if they were honest upfront about the fact that they were doing so and it was disclosd and signed off by both student and parent.
I feel the school should have made the students aware of the camera. I just don't trust Fox News. It was an invasion of privacy with the students being unaware!
I do not have enough information to know if the boy was selling drugs or not. I think school computers should be for learning purposes and perhaps blocked from personal email. The "newscasters" were neither believable or unbelievable in their presentation.
I am appalled that a school can get away with invading anyone's privacy. Kids are people. If someone spies and takes pics of an adult, they go to jail. The school is no better than a peeping Tom!
waste of time and money by the schools and total invasion of privacy
by bafbyzccp (Anonymous User)
on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 @ 2:31:00 AM (
#6515)
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THIS IS JUST HORRIFYING AND I AM APPALLED AT THE ACTIONS OF THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPLE AND SCHOOL SYSTEM...THIS IS A CRIME!
This whole thing is ridiculous. A school district has no right to "spy" on its students.
I didn't know this kind of thing went on.
this is just unreal it is the parents job to moniter the children out side of school not the schools
this is a very disturbing story, and it should be further in vestigated
Look, the computer is NOT that child's. The school has every right to ensure that their property is not stolen or destroyed. They should have allowed the participants to know that they were able to do this, HOWEVER... if you are using a computer, with a camera... DUH.... you should know that the information captured would be stored in your computer.. There is a hard drive that stores ALL information that the user has accessed.
Parents do NOT police their children, any help that they can get should be appreciated. Bottom line? This child's parents should purchase a computer for their child. If they cannot, then the schools have every right to ensure that their property is not being utilized to commit crimes. Besides.. you never know if this could not save a life.. I can't think of a better way to police children
by W. C. (Anonymous User)
on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 2:00:17 PM (
#5178)
Please read the Constitution starting with the Bill of Rights. Stop when you get to the part that permits a public offiicial to spy on my kids in my home without my permission.
I can not believe that such has happened. Yet, I am shocked that i am susprised at such behavior. Unless the school system notified the parents of the capacity of the camera in the laptop to record private matters at their homes, then the school system should be held liable.
This is just totally ridiculous, the school has no right to monitor our children or tell us how to raise our kids. The government and schools need to butt out and back off.
thanks this is very upsetting. One more instance of Big Brother running amuck.
If schools issue laptops it should be with a contract that all parties (school/parents/student) are aware of.
kid was selling drugs not showing candy
Great idea to give students laptops for school use but a bad idea to monitor students outside of school without first telling students and parents the monitoring was going to take place. It would be different if the school made the the parents and students sign a consent to monitoring then the parents and students could decide whether or not they would participate in the program.
It's very disturbing that there was some teacher watching these students, our taxes were paying for that.
Its like big brother! Where do we draw the line?
students should not be issued laptops with a camera in it.
If parents aren't aware of what their kids are doing outside of school, then I think, the school is well within its rights to have some concept of what is going on with its students outside of school.
I met a girl who had this done to her. It was humiliating because she found out the camera was also filming her getting undressed!
I think its sick for schools to monitors students at home/
This survey was very disturbing to think that a school would stoop so low as to spy on students . Who knows what else they were doing?
I found this story to be a good example of how the schools need to be teaching our students what they need to know when they are in school and let the parents handle bringing their children up and teaching them the rights and wrongs about everthing else that is involved in their lives when they are not at school.
I believe there is two sides to every story. What annoys me most is right away people run to lawyers. Why not the police. Why a law suit right away. Don't they have enough money ???? Goodness everything is money in this country any more.
Interesting but sad situation about our schools. This is an invasion of privacy. Schools need to solve their problems in schoolds before they look outside.
by Kathreen (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 6:05:08 AM (
#7137)
It's impeatrive that more people make this exact point.
by dalovf (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, December 15, 2011 @ 11:45:09 AM (
#7142)
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on Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 9:25:00 AM (
#7161)
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by aysobtwyusk (Anonymous User)
on Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 6:41:10 AM (
#7170)
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#7179)
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This is an amazingly weird story. I believe it is true, but it makes me sick. If, in fact, the student was selling drugs, then it is not the schools function to monitor any activity off school grounds. This is the responsibility of the parents or the proper authorities. If the activity ios brought onto school grounds, then it is under the school's jurisdiction to the point where criminal activity is turned over to the proper authority.
Incredible! hard tb believe. very disgusting behavior from school officials.
It sickens me enough that public schools act like they have more rights over my children and own them or something and have more say than I do. which is ludicrious since NO ONE is a astronger advocate who cares more about my own kids than ME!
that's an abuse of privacy
It might be okay for the computer to have some type of location tracking software... gps if such a thing is available... but I think that a school issued computer should not have computer or video capable abilities... There are just too many privacy issues... Even if the student was aware there there was a camera... all the other family members and their guests may not be... and their privacy could easily be violated. What if someone was undressing in front of the computer... no matter what the school's intentions are, it would be bad for everyone if this was viewed, especially if a minor is involved... It would be embarrassing for the person caught on camera, and why it was being viewed by someone remotely, should be questioned... It would be best for the students and the school for the cameras to be disabled on the laptops. People expect and deserve privacy in their homes....
How scary......BIG BROTHER
Allowing students to use laptops at home is a good idea. Spying on them is not. Not telling the students that they could be observed is wrong. Easy solution, put tape over the camera. Better still, prohibit the school from monitoring students' activities on the computer.
I feel no one has the right to do what this school was doing. I do not care how much it cost the school to furnish laptops for the students. The only thing a school should think of is the laptop is like school books and if a child loses it or tears it up then the child should have to pay for it. That is all.
i saw this on my local news and some students
covered the camera lens to protect his or her privacy
i like that schools and lap top computers can not replace parental supervission i think the schools where way out of line
by Usnee (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, March 1, 2012 @ 1:00:25 PM (
#7422)
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by huaezuxlau (Anonymous User)
on Thursday, March 8, 2012 @ 2:37:13 PM (
#7429)
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The Students should close their Laptops when not in use and then the camera wouldn't work. They can easily see the green light that tells them the camera is on.
by Lisa (Anonymous User)
on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 6:40:56 AM (
#5249)
I don't think I am a conspiracy theorist BUT I'm beginning to think that "Big Brother" really does have some sort of plan to monitor where we go, what we do, who we do it with, when we do it, how we spend out time, where we shop, what we buy, what we eat, where we eat it, and with who, .and so on and so on.... And maybe they are using minors, who they have said have no rights themselves, to access our homes, our habits, our families, our lives!!
Hmmm I'm not liking what this has me thinking!! Conspiracy theorists may be on to something. I hope we'll get to watch this as it gets resolved ! Instead of like so many other stories we only hear about once and then no more. I'm sure these aren't the only "spying" eyes they are using. Like how about your computer at work?? And GPS devices DON'T need a camera. Get your Post-it pads out to cover those camera lenses.
I don't think I am a conspiracy theorist BUT I'm beginning to think that "Big Brother" really does have some sort of plan to monitor where we go, what we do, who we do it with, when we do it, how we spend out time, where we shop, what we buy, what we eat, where we eat it, and with who, .and so on and so on.... And maybe they are using minors, who they have said have no rights themselves, to access our homes, our habits, our families, our lives!!
Hmmm I'm not liking what this has me thinking!! Conspiracy theorists may be on to something. I hope we'll get to watch this as it gets resolved ! Instead of like so many other stories we only hear about once and then no more. I'm sure these aren't the only "spying" eyes they are using. Like how about your computer at work?? And GPS devices DON'T need a camera. Get your Post-it pads out to cover those camera lenses.
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