Internet Access Raises Issue of Student Privacy

By Andrew Trotter

As students' access to the World Wide Web has grown, many schools have taken steps to block the inflow of pornographic or violent content that students may encounter.

Now, some districts are taking a firmer stand on information flowing the other way, from schools onto the Web.

The fear is that students' privacy may be infringed or that predators--pedophiles or other criminals, even relatives who have been legally barred from contact with students--will glean photographs and personal data about children and use that information to cause harm. A related fear is that schools could be held...