My name is Paul Radliff. I live in California. I read with great interest the story of the 17-year-old boy that sued the school district after being suspended for a mocking meme on Instagram. What exactly did this immature 17-year-old think was going to happen. The student then had a panic attack.

Too bad. Young people today are to free with commentary on the internet, thinking it insulated them from the consequences of their actions.

It was laughable to hear that his attorney said his First Amendment rights were violated. His rights were most certainly not violated. He is free to say anything he wants. That’s the First Amendment, he is not free of the consequences.

If I got on Instagram and tweeted my boss was a jerk, I certainly can do so. But I certainly expect that I would pay a price.

I hope the school stands firm. This generation needs to learn about consequences and accountability, because parents are certainly failing to teach them.

Paul Radliff

Discovery Bay, California