RUHS Faces Backlash Over Student Athletes' Social Media Speech Restrictions
Redondo Union High School (RUHS) has faced controversy over its handling of student athletes' social media posts. A student was initially suspended from the swim team for a comment, but the decision was later reversed. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has since intervened, reminding the school that its authority to regulate off-campus speech is limited.
The incident began when RUHS disciplined students for comments on the RUHS Swim Instagram account. The school's Student Athlete Social Media Agreement and Athlete Code of Conduct mandate that student athletes post only 'positive things' and conduct themselves positively at all times. However, FIRE stepped in, writing a letter to RUHS on September 30, 2025, stating that these agreements violate the First Amendment due to their vague and overbroad restrictions on student speech.
FIRE also reminded RUHS that blocking accounts and deleting comments on school social media can amount to viewpoint discrimination. The school's initial suspension of a student from the swim team for their comment highlights this issue, although the suspension was later reversed.
FIRE's intervention has brought to light the potential First Amendment violations in RUHS's student athlete agreements and conduct policies. The school is urged to review and revise these policies to ensure they comply with the First Amendment and protect students' free speech rights.
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