Web Patrol

Kids aren't always aware that what they post on Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter might carry consequences in the offline world. Recently, law enforcement has used social networking sites to scan kids' profiles for incriminating information and to prevent future crimes. Officers say they have arrested gang members and avoided looming fights using information from social networking sites, but many students and parents feel it is a violation of their privacy.

"It's outside of school," high school senior Sarah Steinberg told the Washington Post, "and I just don't think it should be part of the school's job to do that."

In an age where social networking sites offer the option to privatize an individual's own page and when even prospective professional athletes are being scrutinized because of their Internet activities:

Do you think authorities are overstepping their boundaries by monitoring students' Web pages? Perhaps we should, instead, teach students to be responsible community members on- and offline (like this kid, who saved her Facebook friend's life)?