Schools turn attention to student social media; Boone: Administration monitors accounts 'as it relates to Worcester Public Schools'.

Byline: Samantha Allen

WORCESTER -- With software to monitor people's social media accounts growing in popularity, Worcester-area officials weighed in on whether that technology would ever be used in local communities.

In Lowell, the police department and school administration are reportedly considering using social media monitoring to watch students' activity online, according to The Sun of Lowell. In Worcester, with reports of fights and bomb threats, particularly at North High School in the last few weeks, Superintendent Melinda J. Boone confirmed her administration already monitors student accounts "as it relates to Worcester Public Schools regularly.''

"As a large district with 44 schools, we do this in various ways, including receiving helpful tips from concerned stakeholders,'' Ms. Boone said in a statement. "If a situation seems troubling, or has the potential to disrupt the school day, we bring in school and safety officials to prevent it from happening.''

Some students outside North High School Friday afternoon said they were unnerved by the idea of someone monitoring their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. This news came just after they learned earlier this week the school will increase its police presence and stream live video feeds to the Worcester Police Department from both inside and outside the building.

"I feel like I'm being stalked (already),'' said sophomore Loretta Ben, 16. "I feel like I'm in jail.''

Senior Will Perkins, 18, said he was upset. He said if software is ever used to track his and his peers' comments, he would feel like his privacy was being invaded.

"They're not above the Constitution,'' he said.

Senior Eric Pellerin, 18, said he often feels like venting online outside of school and that social media is his only outlet to voice his frustrations. Agreeing with Mr. Perkins, he said he didn't want to see that opportunity taken away.

"You know they've been doing it for a long time, obviously,'' Mr. Pellerin added, "but I think it's, like ... in your workplace, you can't bring your problems in there. And here, we can't bring our problems in there.''

Worcester Police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst said the department "periodically'' monitors social media sites, but only when information comes to the department's attention. He said that happens when Web postings "involve a threat to public safety.''

Kade Crockford, director of the Technology for Liberty program for the American Civil Liberties Union of...