School Districts Set Guidelines On Teachers' Social Networking

Recent stories of teachers calling their students "future criminals," "germ bags," or saying they "hate their guts" over Facebook have grabbed media headlines. With a rising trend of teacher firings and suspensions due to inappropriate online behavior, school districts are now beginning to establish guidelines on what teachers can and can't do on social networking sites.

Such policies are already being debated by board members and committees in Virginia, Connecticut, Alabama, Florida and Illinois.

According to Central Florida News, teachers in Lake County are being urged to monitor their online activity or risk losing their jobs.

In a new document, the district lays out several guidelines teachers should follow. Although they take no position on an employee's online activity during "personal time," the document offers a general rule of thumb: "If your blog or web page was a movie, it should be rated G.''

District spokesman, Christopher Patton, reflected on two cases over the past two years where teachers and students became "too close" online:

"I think if we can make sure the teachers and the employees understand that social media isn't a way to be communicating with students that hopefully these situations will be resolved before they actually happen."

In Richmond, Virginia, The Board of Education recently voted to approve similar guidelines, but isn't issuing a call to cut it off completely. Department of Education spokesman Charles Pyle emphasized the need for boundaries and transparency when using such websites, reports WMAL News:

"The state board isn't saying that social networking should be out of bounds -- not at all. But there should be a discussion at the local level to set some rules for social networking."

These debates are controversial, as committee members are left to find a balance between the protection of First Amendment rights and the safety of their children. But how does one go about monitoring all the messages, comments, blog posts and friend requests sent out on multiple social networking sites? Wade Perry, with the Alabama Education Association may have an answer, reports WALA News:

"Simply say any contact with students has to be on an official Facebook page."

Given the permanent nature of online communication, some teachers may just opt to avoid social media in general. At least, that's Paul Beranek plan, a special education teacher at Margaret Mead Junior High in Elk Grove Village, reports The Chicago Tribune.

"I really prefer talking to someone in person," he said. "Once I put something down in writing, it's there forever. There's no taking it back. As a teacher, the liability is huge. Teachers really are public employees and need to be careful in how they are presenting themselves."

Comments

[SallyJay2000]

11:39 AM on 04/21/2011

I don't know where people get the idea that teachers are underpaid. That is not only a falacy but a huge rumor probably pushed by teachers to get more and more for doing pretty much nothing except following their manuals.

No student should disrespect a teacher nor no teacher should disrespect a student for all to see on medias such as facebook. That's outright written slander stupid. The complaining of teachers have always been voiced by students. Let's face it, they will hate (not really) the teacher that makes them work for their grade.

But a so called adult should know better. A teacher such as this is displaying bullying tecniques.

In fact facebook needs to place an age limit, for example -- must be 18 years or older.

[Neil Zwillinger]

08:32 AM on 04/14/2011

I think theres a lot to be said for students being able to email their teachers...does away with the "my printer was out of ink and i couldnt print my essay" excuse....i love the idea of teachers posting homework and long term assignments on line....teachers interacting with current, or even recent students on social networks invites too many problems....teachers, like anyone else, need to be smart and realize that there what you put out there into cyberspace, doesn't go away

[hugatree]

07:52 PM on 04/11/2011

There are great computer programs that schools can purchase or lease into for very little money that connect students and parents with teachers for up-to-the-minute info on homework, questions, etc. without having to tread the murky waters of Facebook. Schools should control student-teacher online interactions. As a former teacher (recently retired), I would no more have put into public print any derogatory thoughts I might have had about students than I would have publically posted inappropriate personal information for student access. Teachers need to engage their brains before they text, post on Facebook, or otherwise put anything they might later regret into the ether.

[CabCurious]

05:58 PM on 04/11/2011

Teachers often make a 2nd Facebook account for themselves as teachers.

[CabCurious]

05:57 PM on 04/11/2011

"Teachers really are public employees and need to be careful in how they are presenting themselves."

That sums it up.

The problem is when bosses dig into PRIVATE messages posted on Facebook or elsewhere, messages that are not designated for PUBLIC status. That's where we've seen headline controversies and abuse of privacy.

[sidnee]

04:20 PM on 04/11/2011

I don't discuss my job on my social networking site--I don't snipe about anything. I keep it light. However, the same rules should apply to everyone--including students. If it is protected speech for a student to badmouth a teacher online--in a blog or social media---then why should there be different rules for teachers? What double standard are you teaching students? You are letting them see that they can be disrespectful to teachers and if they get caught, they can claim freedom of speech. The standard should be the same for all--respect when discussing teachers, bosses, etc. The basic rule applies--if you don't want some people to see what you wrote, then don't write it.

[hugatree]

07:55 PM on 04/11/2011

Teachers are adults and should model the behavior that they would like to see their students engage in. Standards for adolescents who do not have frontal cortex capabilities are NEVER the same as they are for fully rational adults.

[sidnee]

09:13 PM on 04/11/2011

My point was that NO ONE should be talking smack about anyone online--including teenagers. No one should be standing behind their desire or action to do so as well. That's my point. Of COURSE adults should model the behavior--but my statement still stands. I have seen several sites where children have written horrible things about teachers. It's unacceptable on any level. Even students trashing other students.

[Eric Mann]

01:42 PM on 04/11/2011

This is baloney-telling me I have to keep it rated "G". My adult life is seperate from my personal life.

[hugatree]

07:56 PM on 04/11/2011

Not when your personal life can be accessed easiy by your students. Discretion is a huge part of being a teacher. You know that when you enter the field.

[Eric Mann]

09:57 AM on 04/12/2011

Ah...there's the rub! If one knows how to use privacy controls on Facebook correctly, you don't have that issue.

[Alexandra Cean]

01:34 PM on 04/11/2011

Perhaps raising the pay of teachers would encourage them to cut down on the badmouthing.

[daughterusmc]

10:58 AM on 04/11/2011

what is the old adage....if you wouldn't want your mother to read it in the paper, don't write it...I think that still holds true.

[Deb Chittur]

10:37 AM on 04/11/2011

I am a middle school teacher and have chosen not to FB "friend" anyone to whom I give a grade. I teach 6-8.

I think this should really be a local issue. Where I teach in the South, in medium-sized town, most of my friends are fellow teachers and parents. The FB dialogue is clean and, actually, often religious.

Personally, I have no problem with my interactions with children being as transparent as possible. I am a professional. I don't mind my interactions with children being observed by their parents, other children and administrators.

I think FB is a great way to interact with students. If I were a high school teacher, I would certainly want the option.

Teachers email parents back and forth every day, which certainly puts a district at risk for liability--FB is no different.

[Blackwing]

10:04 AM on 04/11/2011

Teachers: Use common sense when typing on your computer.

[Greg34]

10:00 AM on 04/11/2011

School boards should be placing these restrictions on teachers regarding there online public profile and there online ineractions with students. With so many students being suspended or expelled for their online activity these teachers (public employees) should have restrictions. If they want to express themselves online in a manner that will effect their ability to teach then they should find another professions because they are not that concerned about the students.

[eceresa]

09:14 PM on 04/11/2011

And really, why stop there? Some teachers might go to a bar after work and have a few drinks. If it's a bar and grill type place, there's the chance that a student might be there with his family and see the teacher consuming alcohol. I think school boards should make it illegal for teachers to drink.

And really, teachers who go out of town for a weekend are taking time they could be using to plan lessons and grade our kids' work and using it for their own enjoyment. Really, school boards shouldn't allow teachers to travel.

And some teachers might have a religion that conflicts with mine. I really don't want my kid to be taught by somebody whose beliefs don't match up with what I'm teaching at home. So I think it's obvious that school boards should refuse to hire teachers that aren't the same religion as me. If they really want the job, they can convert. It's for the kids, right?

I mean, they're public employees. That means we own them, and they don't have the same rights as the rest of us in the private sector, right?

[Greg34]

09:10 AM on 04/12/2011

Then they should keep there private lives private. Not online where you can be judged. Kids get suspended for their online activities if a school administrator sees something objectable. Leading by example is one way you teach kids. If that is there chosen profession than those are the standards and they have a choice to live that way. They are given extreme job security, pensions, etc. We don't own them but their public position holds them to a higher standard in the public eye.

[Consequence]

09:43 AM on 04/11/2011

People in the business world are always held accountable for criticism of their employer, fellow employees or clients.


Why should it be any different for teachers?

[sawyer0413]

09:34 AM on 04/11/2011

This seems to be a matter of professional judgment. Just like I really question the medical opinions of a Doctor that smokes, I question the teaching fit for a teachers that rants about their students, parents, fellow teachers, school, principal, or school board in a publicly identifiable manner. If you want to rant, do so anonymously, and keep the names of people (except elected officials) out. If you do talk about identifiable things, then I agree with the "keep it G-rated." This is the reality for everyone of every profession.

[OneFish]

09:32 AM on 04/11/2011

It's called prior restraint. Hang the boards and hang the legislators who think this type of control is acceptable.