Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Student Social Media Laws in New Hampshire

social media laws in NHStudent Social Media Laws in New Hampshire

Social media sites are extremely popular with today’s younger generation. From Instagram and Snapchat to Facebook, the options are endless for sharing information about yourself with others. Students can easily log on to such sites and interact with friends. It is not recommended that a child be able to access such accounts during school hours and many schools have banned such sites from their wireless networks. However, children do have the option to use personal devices to access accounts.

Do I Need To Give My Teacher My Password?

A recent change was made in the law of New Hampshire involving social media and students. Schools located in the state can no longer require students to provide passwords to social media accounts. It’s a privacy rights law that protects NH students. Schools also cannot ask for passwords to gain access to accounts. Schools are also unable to punish any student who does not provide their login information. This gives a sense of privacy to students who do not want to share such information with teachers or other faculty members.

Student Privacy Rights & Laws in NH


If your child is approached by a teacher or faculty member and asked for such information they now have the right to say no. Talk to your child about this new law and make sure they know their rights. If you find that your child has been approached and asked for their password, you have the option to take legal action. To do so, you would need to consult with an attorney. An experienced attorney will be knowledgeable of this new law change and how you may be affected.


Once you speak to an attorney, you will have a better idea as to if you have a legal right to file suit. You may find that your attorney can resolve the issue within the confines of the school or you may have to push further and press charges in the matter. Exhaust all of your options to ensure that the school is following legal protocol and your child’s social media account is private. 

By Kevin Tighe

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