Mahanoy Area Schools District v. B.L. Oral Argument

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., on whether public school officials can regulate and punish student for their off-campus social media content. The case stems from a Pennsylvania junior varsity cheerleading student who posted on Snapchat about not making varsity. In the “snap” she and a friend are seen using the middle finger with profane text on the video. Another cheerleader saw it and alerted her mother, a cheerleading coach. B.L. was removed from the team for her “snap” and violating the rule concerning use of “foul language and inappropriate gestures.” The rule furthermore stated that “there will be no toleration of any negative information regarding cheerleading, cheerleaders, or coaches placed on the internet.” In 2017, B.L.'s parents sued alleging violation of her First Amendment free speech rights.

The Court on June 23, 2021, ruled 8-1 that the school district’s decision to suspend the student violated the First Amendment. close