Teachers and Social Networking - Again

     Several months ago, I saw two "investigative reports" on one or more local news stations regarding teachers and their MySpace or Facebook pages.  In a nutshell, teachers ambushed on parking lots after school were shown copies of their profiles and asked why content and pictures inappropriate for student viewing were posted for the public.  In some cases, the teacher was unaware the material was available to any and all. . .

     Educators have long been held to higher standards of behavior than parents and other community members.  I suppose this now extends to activity logged on social networking sites.  My advice still stands with members in my field area of the Missouri State Teachers Association:  don't go there!  MSTA Director of Development and Public Relations Todd Fuller is quoted in an article in the Washington Post about the matter.  (You may have to register in order to view the piece.)  I was able to access it without registering by linking through this blog.

     So what's the verdict?  Should social networking be off limits to educators?

Comments

[Mrs. D]

No they shouldn't I have two my space pages myself, both set to private so only those that are on my friends list can view them. One page is specifically for my students. I keep it completely clean even in the choice of music that I put on the page. I have reported students for lying about their ages and had their pages deleted. I have also contacted parents about students pages. I keep that page as an example to my students of what a page should look like. I have even had students send me messages on my space to ask about a homework assignment because they know I check it every evening. I was able to reply and they got their homework done correctly. Kids need good role models, if teachers that they respect have appropriate pages set up the children will learn from that.

My second page is strictly for my family and friends. I moved away from all of my family and friends several years ago. This is the easiest way for me to keep in touch with them all. As I said before it is also private as I don't want just anyone to be able to see the pictures of my son that I have posted.