Censorship is “the restriction or removal of information, or the prevention of freedom of expression” (Taylor 8). There are many things that can be censored such as books, films, TV shows, newspapers and the way people dress. People censor things for a variety of reasons: they don't agree with it, they find it offensive, or they think it's just inappropriate in general. Different people consider different things inappropriate, so the content of what is censored varies. Anyone can censor, including parents, teachers, school officials, and board members (Taylor 8-10) Many things are censored in schools and places where children are present because parents do not want their children to be exposed to inappropriate content ( Taylor 10) . Students are entitled to First Amendment rights just as much as adults, but schools continue to censor things like newspapers, books, and clothing. Censorship in schools can protect children and eliminate problems, but it can also cause many other problems. For one thing, it sometimes violates the First Amendment. The First Amendment states that “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or restrict freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Taylor 15). These rights are guaranteed to all American citizens, including schoolchildren. According to the Constitution, the government cannot take away these fundamental rights. Public schools are funded by the government, so they need to be sure they aren't violating students' rights or they could have a lawsuit on their hands. Beyond legal consequences, school is about learning and… the medium of paper… the school district. The Supreme Court decided that because the paper was written as part of a journalism course, it was reasonable for the school to censor it (Gaynor). Even though students have First Amendment rights, there are still some things the school can control. Censorship in school is important because it can minimize distractions and other behavioral problems. It also gives parents peace of mind and students a sense of security. It is also important for a student to be able to express themselves. People express themselves in different ways and have the constitutional right to do so, whether they are in school or not. Censorship is a very controversial issue and should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider when censoring and it is important to find a balance between censorship and freedom in schools.