Tech Talk - Social Networking Sites - Be Careful Out There

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter allow educators to share photos, ideas, suggestions, actions and events with a vast "circle of friends". As with other aspects of the virtual world, e.g. the Internet, email, and web searches, caution is a must because of the public yet personal nature of social networking sites. Posted personal remarks, expressions, or photographs may be accessed and made public by students, parents, administrators or community members.

Why is this important? The Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida details the standards to which all educators are held and mandates high standards for educators, especially teachers, in both their public and private lives.

The Code of Ethics is based on the following case law:

"By virtue of their leadership capacity, teachers are traditionally held to a high moral standard in a community." Adams v. State Professional Practices Council, 406 So.2nd 1170 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981).

"A school teacher holds a position of great trust. We entrust the custody of our children to the teacher. We look to the teacher to educate and to prepare our (sic) children for their adult lives. To fulfill this trust, the teacher must be of good moral character; to require less would jeopardize the future lives of our children." Tomerlin v. Dade County School Board, 318 So.2nd 159 (Fla 1st DCA 1975). 39

What does this mean for educators? Individuals are personally responsible, and there is a legal liability involved for those who post on social networking sites. Individuals can be held personally liable for any material deemed to be defamatory, obscene, proprietary, or libelous, and outside parties actually can pursue legal action. School districts can investigate and report individuals to the FLDOE Office of Professional Practices. This investigation can lead to an employee's dismissal and/or the suspension/revocation of an educator's certificate.

In essence, you post material at your own risk.

Do not post material that is illegal, sexually explicit, obscene, defamatory, derogatory, related to alcohol or drug use, or in violation of copyright laws.

Do not post any material regarding any student's educational record, or other confidential information regarding any student, whether you identify the student or not, as you may violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and may subject yourself to discipline and/or discharge.

Do not access Social Networking sites from your school computer or during work time.

Here are four recommendations to guide a productive and respectful use of social networking sites:

Be Respectful
Respect your audience and your coworkers. Avoid engaging in any conduct that would not be acceptable at your school or worksite.

Check Your Facts
Seek correct information. If your postings relate to union issues, be sure to check your facts through your local association or the FEA. Through these efforts you can offer accurate insights to your readers and enhance your own reputation as an honest broker.

Be Aware and Mindful
Your posting may be viewed by parents, students, administrators and community members, and may be public for a long time.

Use Good Judgment
Consider your content carefully and check your moral compass. If the content makes you even a little uncomfortable, reread this article and read through the Code of Ethics before you decide to post the material.

(Thanks to the Wisconsin Education Association Council for some of the content in this article.)