One of the contentious issues for government, business and law enforcement is the balance between security and privacy. The reach of this topic extends to the very young and it is changing the look and feel of our local schools. Here are some of the security procedures that a grade school student may have to face on a daily basis:

• surveillance cameras on the school bus
• drug detection dogs in the school parking area
• metal detectors at the school entrance
• random locker searches
• no cell phones
• armed guards on school campuses
• lock down procedures
• surveillance cameras in the halls and classrooms
• backpack searches
• drug testing for all student athletes
• drug testing for all student drivers
• surveillance of computer use
• GPS location indicators for each student
• random desk searches
• restrictions of internet postings, even from home
• data base entries for what is consumed at lunch
• rfid control of library material
• fingerprint identification payment for lunch
• fencing and control entrances to schools

And, there is no physical contact between staff and student. Therefore, if a toddler falls and is hurt, there is to be no physical contact.

This list is certainly not inclusive. There will be new and innovative security measures to be added. Technology and anxiety will generate more sophisticated methodologies. Some schools, depending on district and budgets, will have only a few of these procedures and routines. Others schools will have more and add to them each year.

Who would ever dare to argue against keeping children safe and secure? However, what does this teach the school kids who adapt to such a system? Will privacy become an archaic concept? Is this an atmosphere that is conducive to learning and creativity… or has school become a training ground for accepting constant surveillance?

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

Tags: schools, security, privacy, surveillance, biometrics, catherine forsythe