This is probably the first and last time I will ever praise Delaware for anything

[giandujakiss]

Delaware Schools to Be Barred from Students’ Social Media Lives

Delaware is on the verge of prohibiting schools from monitoring students’ social media activity without their consent.

The state Senate unanimously voted to ban public and private schools from requiring students to allow access to their social media lives, the Los Angeles Times reported. The bill, which also passed the Delaware House, only needs the governor’s signature to become law.

Some colleges and universities have required students to download social media monitoring software on their personal electronic devices or accounts as a condition of their scholarships or participation in athletics.

A recent revision in the University of North Carolina handbook on this matter is said to be typical, according to MSNBC.

Under the Delaware bill, institutions are forbidden from requesting or requiring a student or applicant to disclose any passwords or related account information; asking them to log on to a social media site in the presence of an agent; requiring the installation of a monitoring device that gives the institution access; or requiring the student to add an agent to their contacts.

...a U.S. congressional committee is considering the Social Networking Online Protection Act, which would prohibit employers from requiring job seekers or workers to provide passwords as a condition of employment.

The blurb doesn't get into the specifics - I assume from the description that school administrators are permitted to read things that are publicly posted, and in general, I might be in favor of forcing kids in high school or younger to permit very limited viewing in specific situations (like, say, credible allegations of sexual harassment and severe bullying), but otherwise- I am so appalled this is even necessary.