Punishment of Students' Actions Outside of School

Most everyone is familiar with the First Amendment and the legality issues that come with freedom of speech. Many are also familiar with school systems' justifications of punishment regarding speech issues in schools as well. Kids can't just say whatever they feel like without consequences. However, it really isn't fair for schools to punish students for expressing themselves outside of school.

Schools are able to justify punishing students on school grounds regarding issues with speech because without boundaries, students could hurt others and create legal issues. Also, the school doesn't want to have a student displaying a poor public image, which could then reflect on the school. What I mean by that is, if a student speaks out over a controversial issue and creates a problem or disrupt, it could look like the schools is "endorsing" said behavior if they don't punish the student. It all pretty much reflects on the fact that the school systems want to avoid legal issues.

That being said, with the schools' justification of censoring students on school grounds and at school sponsored events, why is it that schools still feel the need to censor students outside of school? There have been situations that students have been punished by things they have done out of school which does not reflect upon the school. If their actions were against the school or harming the school system/students in any way, the school would probably be justified. However, if a student decides to use crude language on a social media website, why does the school feel the need to intervene?

In my opinion, a school should only intervene on matters regarding the school and its students. If a student decides to use foul language about the school over the internet, that's his or her own opinion. Unless there is a threat being made or there is something terribly wrong with what is being said, the student should not be censored. If a student is saying these things on school grounds or in a school sponsored event, the schools actions could be justified. Taking students' rights away outside of school is not ok.