Ethics Case
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Transcript of Ethics Case
To Spy or Not to Spy
Information Ethics Case
By Heather Healy, Carla Heideman, Stephenie Heinz,
Lora Jones, Margaret Kriwiel, Laura McDaniel
March 3, 2010
At the start of the 2009-2010 school year, the Carleton School District in suburban
Philadelphia issued a laptop computer to each high school student. To receive the computer, each
student and his or her legal guardians were required to sign a computer use agreement that
prohibits students from using the computer in any inappropriate or illegal ways at any time
whether the student is at school or at any other location. As part of the program, 15-year old
Spencer Johnson received one of the school-issued laptops, and he and his parents signed the
computer use agreement.
One day in February, Spencer and several classmates are in the school library doing
research for an English report. The students are acting a bit raucous and disturbing other students
in the library. Wanting to maintain order and help get Spencer and the other students back on
track, Mr. Anderson, the school librarian, approaches the table where the students are working to
see if he can assist them with their research. As Mr. Anderson approaches the table, he notices
that Spencer is showing the other students the photo that is set as his wallpaper. The photo is a
picture of Spencer and other teenagers at what appears to be a party engaging in drug activity.
Mr. Anderson catches only a glimpse of the photo because as soon as the students notice Mr.
Anderson’s approach, Spencer quickly maximizes another window on the desktop to cover the
wallpaper photo.
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Later in the day, in the teacher’s lounge, Mr. Anderson sees Ms. Baker, the vice
principal. The two chat about various issues concerning the library, and as part of the
conversation, Mr. Anderson mentions that he is concerned about Spencer Johnson and relays to
Ms. Baker what he saw on Spencer’s laptop. Ms. Baker thanks Mr. Anderson for the information
and then goes back to her office. The information provided by Mr. Anderson is especially
intriguing to Ms. Baker because earlier that week her office received an anonymous tip that one
or more Carleton High students had been bringing pills to school and providing them to other
students. The tip did not specifically name any students, and it did not specify the exact type of
pills.
Armed with all of this information, Ms. Baker consults with the principal, Mr. Harper.
They want to determine whether Spencer is involved in drug activity. They are concerned about
his well being and want to get him help if needed. They are also concerned about the safety and
welfare of the other students at the school. They are obligated to protect other students and to
make sure no illegal activity takes place on school grounds. As a result, they decide to use a
security program already installed on each laptop to see if they can learn more about the
situation. The program allows a technology assistant to remotely activate the webcam embedded
in the laptop screen and take a picture with it. The program can also capture an image of what is
displayed on the computer screen. Mr. Harper and Ms. Baker ask one of the technology
assistants to activate the security program that evening. Before the start of school the next day,
they check in with the technology assistant and discover that the webcam snapped a photo of
Spencer placing pills into his mouth.
During first period, Spencer is called to the vice principal’s office. Ms. Baker suspends
him for three days for engaging in inappropriate behavior and as proof she shows him the photo
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taken with the webcam. The school contacts Spencer’s parents to notify them of the suspension.
When Mr. and Mrs. Johnson discuss the matter with their son, Spencer tells them that Ms. Baker
showed him a photo that apparently had been taken with the webcam of his school laptop the
previous evening while he was in his bedroom. Spencer says that Ms. Baker cited the photo as
evidence that he was engaging in improper behavior, but Spencer says what the photo actually
shows is him eating Mike and Ike candy.
The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson accompany Spencer to school to discuss the
suspension. The Johnsons want the school to lift the suspension because they feel Spencer has
been wrongly accused of improper behavior. They also want to know why the school is taking
photos of their child in their home. The school confirms that they are able to activate the webcam
remotely, but they neither overturn the suspension nor apologize for using the webcam. The
Johnsons are dissatisfied with the outcome of the meeting and decide to call their attorney. The
end result is that the Johnsons file a class action lawsuit against the Carleton School District for
invasion of privacy.
Case Study Questions
1. Utilizing Severson’s four-step method, which conflicts are present in the controversy
between the Carleton School District and the Johnson family?
2. Based on the evidence and the principles of ethics, who do you believe has a stronger case—
the school or family? Why?
3. Should a school district ever remotely activate the webcam of laptops issued to students? If
yes, in what situations would this be appropriate? If no, why? Does the time of day (during
school hours or outside of school hours) make a difference in your answer?
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4. Could the school have done something different to collect evidence? Give examples and
reasoning.
5. What are the pros and cons of school issued laptops?
6. What security measures should be in place to protect students’ privacy when using school-
issued laptops?
References
Associated Press. (2010). School District Is Accused Of Webcam Spying. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org
Associated Press. (2010). Suit: Schools Spied on Students Via Webcam. Retrieved from
http://www.cbsnews.com
Mackey, R. (2010, February 19). School Accused of Using Webcam to Photograph Student at
Home. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com
Magid, L. (2010, February 23). MAGID ON TECH: School district's webcam spy case grows
legs. Peninsula. Retrieved from http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula
McGinley, C.W. (2010, February 19). Update from Dr. McGinley regarding high school student
laptop security. Retrieved from http://www.lmsd.org
Prince, B. (2010). School District Accused of Webcam Spying. Retrieved from
http://www.eweek.com
Puffy, S.P. (2010). School District Accused of Spying on Students via Home Webcams.
Retrieved from http://www.law.com