The safe use of a social
network is all about common sense and the knowledge of application settings. But
those who think that refusing to join sites like MySpace or Facebook will keep them
out of trouble are deluding themselves. With digital cameras all over the
place, and with Blackberries and iPhones able to take a picture and immediately
post it to any website, stepping out of your home can be a foray into
cyberspace.
Protecting Yourself
Goes Beyond Avoidance
Educators could be at-risk even they don't have social
networking accounts. Consider a story I heard recently about a department that held
a party at a member's home. Pictures were taken of educators partaking in
libations. All were of legal age, mind you, but some pictures (while not
inappropriate) made it clear that the participants were enjoying themselves. One
of the attendees, Sue, posted the pictures on her Facebook account so other
department members could see them. Sue does not "friend" students as a
professional policy.
Cary, another educator, commented on some of Sue's pictures.
Sue's Facebook settings allowed "friends of friends" to see pictures (Sue
wasn't Facebook friends with all attendees), so anyone who commented on Sue's
pictures then made it possible for his or her friends to view them, as well. Unfortunately,
Cary did
"friend" students, a few of whom saved some pictures to their computers, and
then printed, photocopied and pasted them around the school. It was
embarrassing and scandalous for the department and its teachers, even for those
who didn't have Facebook accounts.
Students Create
Fan/Hate Pages for Teachers – Online or Not
Also, students have taken to creating fan and hate groups
for teachers, as well. Facebook is
loaded with them. While I roll my eyes
at mine, featuring a picture taken with a cell phone, I have a collegue whose
students found pictures of him from his 15th high school reunion
(holding a pint) and post them on his fan page (which has over eighty students
on it). Keep in mind, not only does he
not have a Facebook account, he still eschews cable in the name of the rabbit
ears attenna.
Be Careful Who You
Friend
I would be lying if I said that everyone on my list of
Facebook friends had judgment that I trusted completely. In one instance, I
knew that it would be extremely awkward if I rejected a fringe friend asking me
to be friended. But I told myself that at least I would be aware of what this
person was posting and wouldn't be caught off guard. Sometimes the devil you know is better than
the devil you don't.
Legal Perspective
My school district's attorney emphasizes extreme caution in
protecting oneself. He suggests that educators do not respond to student
e-mails outside of school hours. This practice may seem foreign in our digital
age, but it's designed to prevent the development of a culture where educators
are expected to answer questions around the clock. The attorney also emphasizes
erring on the side of caution and seeing teenage students as the courts see
them - as the equivalent of adolescent toddlers. He discouraged text messaging
whenever possible, and advised against the use of social networking sites and
forums at all.
Obviously, professional judgment must prevail, as certain
circumstances require after-hours communication and going beyond just
face-to-face interaction. It seems to me, however, that establishing boundaries
allows educators the benefit of enjoying a social networking site, while keeping
it separate from their career. This doesn't mean that anything tawdry is
happening, but some don't care for students to have the same access to their personal
life that is granted their friends.
Professional Networking
vs. Social Networking
I was excited when CR4 once considered launching a social network
because I knew it would be student-free. There are also sites like The English Companion Ning, which
is designed specifically for English teachers.
CR4 and Ning would let me keep up with people at work, but most of my
friends and relatives aren't engineers or English teachers. Plus, I see people
at work every day. So how much additional networking did I need? That's where I
decided to give Facebook a shot. And so far, I'm happy I did. Am I asking for
trouble, or should educators be able to make social networking work for them,
too?
Related Readings:
Part 1 – Are
Social Networking Sites a Carreer Ender for Educators?
Part 2 – Is
Social Networking for Educators a Bad Idea? (Part 2)
Part 3 – The
Ostrich Approach Is Not the Wisest (Teachers & Social Networking - Part 3)
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