Let’s say you’re a teacher, school administrator, or government official looking to utilize social media in education. No matter your position, it’s important to understand the various problems that might arise. From misuse to abuse to bullying, there are a lot of potential issues you should consider.

That’s why this ‘Social Media Policy For Schools’ is worth checking out. Simply put, it’s a document that you can download and edit to your needs. It was crowdsourced through the magic of Google Drive and has become the below document which has been used in schools around the world.

As with any policy, be sure to tailor it to your exact needs. Spend some time closely reading it over and share it with as many people as possible who are involved in the social media in schools process. You’ll be glad you did.

Want the editable Microsoft Word Doc? Click here.

Text Version: The Social Media Policy For Schools

Introduction

YOUR SCHOOL recognizes that access to technology in school gives students, parents and teachers greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop 21st-century technology and communication skills.

To that end, this Acceptable Use Policy outlines the guidelines and behaviors that users are expected to follow when using school technologies or when using personally-owned devices on the school campus.

• Students, parents and teachers are expected to follow the same rules for good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline.
• Misuse of social media can result in disciplinary action.
• YOUR SCHOOL makes a reasonable effort to ensure students’ safety and security online, but will not be held accountable for any harm or damages that result from misuse of social media technologies.

We encourage teachers, students, staff, and other school community members to use social networking/media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) as a way to connect with others, share educational resources, create and curate educational content, and enhance the classroom experience. While social networking is fun and valuable, there are some risks you should keep in mind when using these tools. In the social media world, the lines are blurred between what is public or private, personal or professional.

We’ve created these social networking/media guidelines for you to follow when representing the school in the virtual world.

Please do the following:               

Use good judgment       

• We expect you to use good judgment in all situations.
• You must know and follow the school’s Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy.
• Regardless of your privacy settings, assume that all of the information you have shared on your social network is public information.

Be respectful       

• Always treat others in a respectful, positive and considerate manner.

Be responsible and ethical       

• If you are approved to represent the school, unless you are specifically authorized to speak on behalf of the school as a spokesperson, you should state that the views expressed in your postings, etc. are your own. Stick with discussing school-related matters that are within your area of responsibility.
• Be open about your affiliation with the school and the role/position you hold.

Be a good listener       

• Keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits of social media is that it gives others another way to talk to you, ask questions directly and to share feedback.
• Be responsive others when conversing online. Provide answers, thank people for their comments, and ask for further feedback, etc.
• Always be doing at least as much listening and responding as you do “talking.”

Don’t share the following:

Confidential information       

• Do not publish, post or release information that is considered confidential or not public. If it seems confidential, it probably is. Online “conversations” are never private. Do not use your birth date, address, and cell phone number on any public website.

Private and personal information           

• To ensure your safety, be careful about the type and amount of personal information you provide. Avoid talking about personal schedules or situations.
• NEVER give out or transmit personal information of students, parents, or co-workers
• Don’t take information you may receive through social networking (such as e-mail addresses, customer names or telephone numbers) and assume it’s the most up-to-date or correct.
• Always respect the privacy of the school community members.

Please be cautious with respect to:

Images           

• Respect brand, trademark, copyright information and/or images of the school (if applicable).
• You may use photos and video (products, etc.) that are available on the school’s website.
• It is generally not acceptable to post pictures of students without the expressed written consent of their parents.
• Do not post pictures of others (co-workers, etc.) without their permission.

Other sites           

• A significant part of the interaction on blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other social networks involves passing on interesting content or linking to helpful resources. However, the school is ultimately responsible for any content that is shared. Don’t blindly repost a link without looking at the content first.
• Pay attention to the security warnings that pop up on your computer before clicking on unfamiliar links. They actually serve a purpose and protect you and the school.
• When using Twitter, Facebook and other tools, be sure to follow their printed terms and conditions.

And if you don’t get it right…       

• Be sure to correct any mistake you make immediately, and make it clear what you’ve done to fix it.
• Apologize for the mistake if the situation warrants it.
• If it’s a MAJOR mistake (e.g., exposing private information or reporting confidential information), please let someone know immediately so the school can take the proper steps to help minimize the impact it may have.

Netiquette

• Users should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Users should also recognize that among the valuable content online is unverified, incorrect, or inappropriate content. Users should use trusted sources when conducting research via the Internet.
• Users should also remember not to post anything online that they wouldn’t want parents, teachers, or future colleges or employers to see. Once something is online, it’s out there—and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you never intended.

Personal Safety

If you see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes you concerned for your personal safety, bring it to the attention of an adult (teacher or staff if you’re at school; parent if you’re using the device at home) immediately.

• Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address, social security number, birthday, or financial information, over the Internet without adult permission.
• Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and associated risks, and should carefully safeguard the personal information of themselves and others.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, outing, tricking, excluding, and cyberstalking are all examples of cyberbullying. Don’t be mean. Don’t send emails or post comments with the intent of scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else.

Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges. In some cases, cyberbullying can be a crime. Remember that your activities are monitored and retained by others.

Examples of Acceptable Use

I will:

• Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that I am expected to follow offline.
• Treat social media carefully, and alert staff if there is any problem with their operation.
• Encourage positive, constructive discussion if allowed to use communicative or collaborative technologies.
• Alert a teacher or other staff member if I see threatening/bullying, inappropriate, or harmful content (images, messages, posts) online.
• Be cautious to protect the safety of myself and others.
• This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using social media

Examples of Unacceptable Use

I will not:

• Use social media in a way that could be personally or physically harmful to myself or others.
• Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others-staff or students.
• Try to find ways to circumvent the school’s safety measures and filtering tools.
• Use language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good judgment when using social media.

Limitation of Liability

YOUR SCHOOL will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data, or hardware.

Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy

Violations of this policy may have disciplinary repercussions, including:

• Suspension of volunteer privileges
• Removal from positions of leadership within YOUR SCHOOL.
• Removal of student from YOUR SCHOOL.
• Additional consequences determined by Administration.

I have read and understood this Acceptable Use Policy and agree to abide by it:

__________________________________________

( Printed Name)

__________________________________________

(Signature)

__________________________________________

(Date)

Want to edit the original Google Drive document? You can do that here!