Snapchatting Cheerleader Tests Speech on Social Media

In 2017, 14-year-old Brandi Levy went on Snapchat and directed some colorful language at her school and others when she learned that she had not landed a spot on the varsity cheerleading squad.

After being suspended from the junior varsity squad for violating its code of conduct, she and her parents took the school district to court, arguing it did not have the right to punish her off-campus speech.

Four years later, the Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the First Amendment limits public schools’ ability to regulate off-campus speech delivered via social media.

Levy, now 19, talks about the incident and recounts the four-year journey that resulted in a landmark free speech case.

First Five Now is a Freedom Forum conversation that explores topical issues and features current newsmakers who are using the five freedoms of the First Amendment to guide their work.