If privacy is a fundamental right, why are we so quick to surrender it the moment we step onto school grounds? More than 90 percent of public high schools across America have installed monitoring devices along hallways, entrances, school buses, classrooms, and other spaces. Of course, many of these systems are implemented out of a desire for safety, however, they are used without considering the possible negative impacts.
In 2014, Berkeley Unified School District passed a policy on security cameras in Berkeley public schools, stating that cameras are to be placed in areas like hallways and classrooms. It also includes that no cameras are to be placed in private areas, such as bathrooms and locker rooms. The primary purpose of these cameras is to enhance school safety and protect school property from vandalism and theft.
The BUSD policy states that the superintendent shall “provide prior written notice to students and parents/guardians about the district’s surveillance system, including the sites where surveillance may occur, explaining that the recordings may be used in disciplinary proceedings, and that matters captured by the camera may be referred to local law enforcement.”
Although BUSD has attempted to be transparent about the security cameras, many students still say they are unsure of where they are being filmed. "They should just let kids know where they are," Sachi Chakko, a freshman, said. "I feel like there hasn’t been communication of where the cameras are to the students."
While Chakko knows that cameras are prohibited in bathrooms, they were not aware of any other restrictions.
Chakko believes the surveillance cameras do little to improve safety on campus. "I just don't really think the kids care," she said.
Chakko explained that although she feels uncomfortable with being recorded, other students don't care enough about being watched to change their behavior. The mystery around camera placement makes them easy to ignore or forget.
Although security cameras can provide evidence in certain incidents like a school fight or theft, the extent to which they protect students and staff against larger incidents is disputed.
According to a recent American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) report, surveillance cameras have been present in eight of the 10 most fatal school shootings, yet failed to prevent these tragedies. While the concept of surveillance can discourage theft and bullying, cameras themselves can do little to deter crime. If these cameras aren't fulfilling their purpose, we may need to question why we are forcing them on students in the first place.
While the idea behind security cameras on campus may be to create a safer school environment, their effectiveness and the privacy implications of constant monitoring raise serious questions. If these devices fail to prevent major incidents and instead contribute to a culture of mistrust, their presence may be doing more harm than good. Schools should prioritize transparency and actively address privacy concerns within the community.