WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Comments posted on social media Web site Facebook led to the suspension of several high school students and has sparked debate over free speech and the Internet as it pertains to education.

Facebook has more than 34 million active members and is one of the most heavily-trafficked sites on the Internet.

A video of a scuffle between West Lafayette High School students that was posted on Facebook prompted suspensions because of the fight and, later, because of comments sophomore Caitlyn Casseday left on the site about punishment meted out by assistant principal Ron Shriner.

"I called him an obscene name and he called me into his office and he told me he hated me," Casseday said.

Casseday received a one-day in-school suspension. Other students posted more comments on the site, one called the school's actions disgraceful. Another person posted video of the fight on YouTube and was suspended for doing that.

Students speculated that as many as 13 of their peers were given suspensions.

"We have constitutional rights, and we're protected under those," Casseday said. "One of those is freedom of speech and freedom of print and expression."

School officials declined to comment on student discipline. A code of conduct, posted on the school district's Web site, does not directly address postings on the Internet, but does say existing rules about conduct apply both on and off school grounds.

"If she had stated an opinion or disagreement about how the situation was handled, she would probably be protected to a certain extent," said Dr. Terri Jett, a political science professor at Butler University.

Students are calling for this Friday to be "Free Speech Friday," and they are planning to wear white T-shirts in support of the suspended students.