To block Facebook or not to block Facebook — that was the question in a first-ever public Fairness trial during Town Hall Feb 24.
Calling the popular social networking device a “threat” and a “menace,” Acting General Studies Principal Mr. Roy Danovitch filed a complaint with the Fairness committee about Facebook use at school, and requested a hearing at on whether it should be blocked during school hours. Ultimately it was rejected, by a vote of 6-5, March 21.
Instead of the normal Just Community process, which would have opened the subject to the entire student body and faculty at a regular Town Hall, the Fairness hearing meant that questions were posed by student “lawyers” and answered by pre-set “witnesses,” including attorney David Nimmer, father of students Yonah and Leora Nimmer.
The rest of the community watched.
In prepared remarks, which he read from a lectern at the front of the room, Mr. Danovitch said banning the site would enrich the community by keeping students more focused on academics and other school activities.
“Facebook poses a severe threat to our school,” Mr. Danovitch said.
But student lawyers defending Facebook use argued that blocking the site would be pointless.
“Even if Facebook is banned, as a community we have to accept reality,” said senior Michael Silver, arguing as lawyer in defense of Facebook. “There will be substitutes for Facebook. If Facebook is disposed of, there is only going to be increased distraction from some other source, may it be a game, another social networking site, or even still Facebook through proxy servers.”
Fairness hearings are normally held in secret so no one is embarrassed, but this time members of the committee agreed to an open hearing, followed by the usual closed-door meetings at which they decide the case.
The meant the Fairness Committee, made up of elected officers and grade-level student representatives along with two faculty members, would be deciding the future of Facebook for the school.
At the Town Hall, a panel of students on the Fairness committee sat at the front of the Beit Midrash, calling up student witnesses to a stand to speak for each side.
“Do you solemnly affirm that the testimony you are about to give will faithfully and truthfully conform to the facts and rules of the Shalhevet trial?” Fairness member Scotty Silver said to each witness, asking that they raise their right hand.
Everyone said yes, but science teacher and Technology Director Yossie Frankel refused to raise his hand. He later said it was a Chasidic custom not to, because it’s too similar to the Christian practice of swearing oaths with the left hand on a Christian Bible while the right hand is in the air.
Mr. Danovitch said he had brought the entire school to Fairness because, he said, most students go on Facebook or other websites unrelated to school work during class at least once. He also felt the need to be heard and to create awareness of the issue.
“Social networking is not approved in the Acceptable Use Policy, and this was such a big issue because students were using Facebook during class,” he explained.
But Michael Silver, “attorney” for the student body, argued that the Acceptable Use Policy – which all students must sign before they can get access to the internet at the beginning of the year – said nothing about Facebook at all.
“Nothing signed was ever violated…” Michael said. “So what have the students done wrong? I’ll tell you what. Nothing.”
Senior Eitan Miller was a witness for Mr. Danovitch’s side.
“It would benefit teachers, so that they won’t have to check the students’ laptops multiple times during class,” Eitan said. “Facebook is overly used in class, and I have witnessed it.”
Mr. Frankel, who is able to monitor Facebook usage in the school, said that on one day, Feb. 14, there had been 35,128 “hits” to Facebook over the course of the school day. When asked later for clarification, he said that meant 35,128 clicks of the mouse on the site, or refreshing of a page.
“Nowadays, Facebook is used way more than the leading search engine known as Google, which is a big change from only two years ago,” Mr. Frankel said.
Students challenged the number, however. Dividing 35,128 clicks by 170 students would mean that on average, every student in the school had clicked on Facebook 207 times that day — if everyone had a laptop. If only half the school has laptops, each student would have clicked on Facebook 414 times.
“There are no facts that prove that this large amount of Facebook usage was during class time,” said junior Jacob Ellenhorn, a witness defending Facebook access. “It could have been during breakfast, lunch, Mincha, or even during a free period. We just don’t know.
“And if they were doing it during class time, I am still against this proposal because why should all of us need to pay the price of others that use Facebook during class?”
History teacher Dr. Jill Beerman jumped in, even though she wasn’t a witness.
“Is it crucial for you to check your Facebook messages every minute?” she asked.
Jacob responded, “Well, is it crucial for adults to check their e-mail every minute?” He said students use Facebook for basic communication, the way adults use e-mail.
Senior Rachel Lester, also a witness, supported Jacob’s view.
“I only go on Facebook once a week, and usually it’s related to academics,” Rachel said.
“If you ban Facebook, the student will switch to another website like Tumblr or a game, so you can’t claim Facebook to be the only distraction,” said senior Justin Brandt-Sarif, one of two student lawyers arguing against Mr. Danovitch’s proposal.
A cheer from the audience sounded as the lunch bell rang and Justin finished his last words. Immediately, the majority of the school left to go off and enjoy the rest of the day with Facebook access still permitted — at least for now.
Meanwhile, some students questioned Mr. Danovitch’s focus on Facebook.
“I dont’ even think Facebook is the biggest problem at school,” said senior Adam Ashkenazi. “A lot of people play internet games, or things like ‘Call of Duty.'”
Related: Fairness votes 6-5 not to block Facebook. March 21, 2012
VIDEO: Student lawyers face off in Fairness Facebook “trial” – March 16, 2012
Related: Mr. Danovitch will take the whole community to Fairness over Facebook ‘menace,’ Feb. 13, 2012
