Do's and don'ts of social media for educators

Gone are the days of advising educators to simply not use social media. Social media is everywhere. It allows individuals to share personal information, photos and opinions. It allows organizations to connect with members and potential members. It allows students to talk to other students. It allows students, parents, educators and everyone who makes up the education community to communicate with each other.

Using common sense, remembering the "Three P's" of the Internet, and considering the "Do's and Don'ts" of social media will help you navigate some of the common pitfalls and protect you as an educator.

Generally these "Three P's" of the Internet are true:

Permanent. The Internet is permanent. Internet service providers and social networks may be able to retrieve information long after it has been deleted.
Perfect. The Internet has a perfect memory. Items posted can be retrieved and you can read or see exactly what was posted.
Public. The Internet is public.

When you use social media:

DO use your common sense.
DO consider computer use including Internet, email and social media access at school to be a privilege, not a right. Use your computer for school-related work.
DO know your school district’s policy regarding technology use before using social media to interact with students. Your district may discourage or prohibit the use of social media for classroom purpose, or it may make you personally responsible for everything posted on a group or site that you create for your students.
DO maintain a professional boundary between your personal information and your class materials. If you create a forum for electronic student participation, start a group or forum that relates only to your classroom or create a user profile that contains only school-related information. Maintain a clear division between your personal activities on social media sites and your professional presence as an educator.
DO monitor membership. Make sure you can limit the participation of individuals in any email list, Internet forum, social media group or other site that you may use for class-related electronic discussion. Ensure that any participant in such forums is a member of your class.
DO establish ground rules for participation. Just as you set expectations for classroom behavior with your students at the beginning of the year, it is important to set those expectations in an electronic forum as well. Make sure students are aware of any restrictions on content, tone or even the nature of their participation.
DO keep an eye on your "creation." If you do create a website, page or group using a social network that permits students to provide input or comments, consider prescreening those comments rather than letting students have unfettered discretion to post.
DO use privacy and security settings. Whether you are using social media for classroom purposes or not, keep in mind that your personal information is as available as you allow it to be. These settings may change; review your settings regularly and adjust them according to the boundaries you have established.
DO monitor what others post about you. For example, "untag" photos of yourself that you would not want others to see.
DO consider whether you would want your principal, students or parents to see what you are posting, before you post it. If in doubt, don't post it.

And, of course, keep these tips in mind as well:

DO NOT access inappropriate sites on your school computer at any time, during or after school.
DO NOT accept friend requests from current or potential students or their family members onto your personal social networking page.
DO NOT accept friend requests from anyone whom you do not know personally as a friend.
DO NOT post vulgar or obscene language, materials, photos or links that may be considered inappropriate or unprofessional.
DO NOT post any negative information about your students, co-workers or school administrators.
DO NOT join groups that may be considered unprofessional or inappropriate, and leave any such group of which you are already a member.
DO NOT use social media unless you DO use common sense in your activities.

Education Minnesota Legal Department disclaimer
Information contained on our website is published for general information and educational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice or an offer to give legal advice. We cannot accept direct requests for legal advice or offer specific legal advice over the Internet. If you have a specific member rights question, talk to your member rights representative or call your Education Minnesota field staff.

November 28, 2011