SCOTUS Rules Student's Snapchat Rant Is Protected by the First Amendment

On June 23, 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 8-1 decision in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. holding that the school district violated a freshman student's First Amendment rights when she was suspended from cheerleading after posting a profanity-laden rant to Snapchat. The opinion, authored by Justice Breyer, set out factors that courts should use in weighing the right of school administrators to punish student speech in non-school settings. Justice Breyer noted that the ruling does not set forth a broad First Amendment rule protecting "off campus" speech, citing the need of school systems to be able to prevent substantial disruptions such as bullying and threats. See Washington Post, New York Times.