Do you have any rights when you're online, whether at home, school or at your friends? Are you restricted in what you write or create on the Internet? The answers to these questions may surprise you.

In July, 2007 the courts ruled on two cases of cyber-bullying. Justin, a 17-year-old senior, used his grandmother's computer to create a parody of his principal on MySpace. It included silly questions and answers, crude language and a picture of the principal taken from the school's web site. Justin sent it to his friends and soon it was all over the school. He was suspended for ten days and prohibited from attending his graduation ceremony. A court ruled that his creation did not disrupt the school environment or violate the rights of the principal. In its decision, the court said that a "MySpace internet page is not outside of the protection of the First Amendment."

On the other hand, Aaron used his parents' computer to create an Instant Message icon. It depicted a hand-drawn gun pointed at a person's head. Underneath was written "Kill Mr. VanderMolen," Aaron's English teacher. Aaron was suspended for five days and the court upheld the suspension as appropriate since it was disruptive and presented a foreseeable risk of harm.

There are other incidents involving screensavers, email hit lists, web pages and YouTube postings that have gotten the attention of law enforcement. What do you think? Has this gone too far or should there be limits on what you do in the privacy of your home? Take a look at other cases on this site under "You and the Internet."