Is Facebook the wrong place for our kids to complain about their teachers?
Contributed by Cindy Kent, SunSentinel.com
Bullying is bullying. And today's news provides another distressing example.
"A former Pembroke Pines Charter High School student filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against the school's principal, alleging that he violated her first-amendment rights by suspending her for creating a Facebook page that criticized one of her teachers."
Let's face it - I don't know all the facts here. Students can be cruel. Teachers can be cruel. Classrooms have lots of personalities and factors that make school a good or bad experience for both teachers and students.
But I know some basic rules:
You have to get along with people in the real world, even if it's difficult.
Treat others as you would like to be treated. Could you imagine if teachers had Facebook pages for every student they disliked?
Two wrongs don't make a right - even you feel you were the one victimized. If the student felt her teacher failed to do a good job, did she take it up with the teacher, with her parents or with the school administration?
It's basic really -- call it Respect 101. I wonder whether the parents of this student are involved or assisting in the lawsuit.
As a parent, what are your thoughts about this student's actions and the school's reaction?
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
South Florida Parenting is your guide for local events and things to do with your family. Our site offers resources, features and insightful columns on all types of parenting issues.
Parents and their children can access a multitude of free educational resources.