It is guys like the VP that undercut the parent's authority. Schools supply internet access with computers in the libraries and classrooms. Smack the kid for disobeying a direct parental order to stay off the internet and the schools call the cops. Of course, the parent may never know if the kid is on the internet. All a parent can really do is shut down access at home and chain the kid to the house.
Myspace, Facebook and other sites of this type are routinely blocked at schools. To access these sites the students must do so from home, not the school.
As far as whether or not the parents know if the kid is on the internet.....it's pretty easy to block sites even at home--it can be done from the service provider, password, and/or direct blocking software. The parent can also check the history to see if the kid has gotten through. It takes some vigilance, but it can be done.
I'm sorry, I don't agree with that. My husband and I decided to homeschool our children after elementary school. Last year, on a field trip with my fourth grader, I was absolutely amazed and appalled at the mean, vindictive, bullying of the students in his class. The girls as well as the boys were out of control. I witnessed one child tell my son not to speak to him or he would hit him. When I addressed his behavior, he lied to me and the teacher.
I spoke to the teachers about it. My son was bullied quite a lot. The teacher said she'd sent kids to the office, had the counselor in to talk to the kids, and tried to contact the parents. The parents of the worse students didn't return phone calls, come to conferences, or respond to notes. In talking to the teachers I learned fifth grade was even worse. Needless to say, I pulled my son early.
My point is, there are parents out there who are concerned about their children and those that aren't. I know from experience you can't be with your kids all the time, and they will make poor choices. They must be disciplined and taught not to do these things. My concern is the mean-spirited nature of a lot of kids and the way they go about tearing others down when they get in their way or feel they have been slighted.
Most schools will block sites like Myspace.
If the school has half a clue, Myspace was firewalled off from school networks long ago. While many schools are clueless, chances are quite good, they did this from home.