Social Networking between Teachers and Students

[Jody_Branin]

Does either school district (Howell Township Public Schools / Freehold Regional High School District) have a Policy or Code of Ethics on Social Networking regarding Teacher/Student contact? 

I tried using the search on the FRHSD website but came up with nothing.  I'm just curious. 

[Pete_Schott]

My daughter who attends HHS said teachers and students are not allowed to have contact on "social networks" while a student at HHS.  I am not sure if that is documented anywhere on the web site or not.

[Kathy_Baratta]

My daughter who attends HHS said teachers and students are not allowed to have contact on "social networks" while a student at HHS.  I am not sure if that is documented anywhere on the web site or not.

Pete,

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your point but either way, I think you may find the following interesting, even useful.

KB
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http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/02/student-facebook-tirade-against-teacher-is-protected-speech/

[Jody_Branin]

I've yet to see anything good come of those MySpace/Facebook things. 

My original question stemmed from a conversation I had with an online friend who is a Teacher in another country.  She has colleagues that think nothing of adding students to their "friend" profile.  I don't think this is a good thing at all and she agreed. 

Another friend/Teacher from Australia stated that it is against their Registration or Code of Ethics to IM or contact students through Social Networking sites.

It just got me curious to see if we had any standard rules/regulations here on the subject.  If we don't, we should.

[Pete_Schott]

For clarity, I took Jody's question to be in the context of teacher <-> student "conversing" with each other not students "conversing about" teachers/administratiors.  I may be splitting hairs but they are different situations.

So my point was a student cannot "converse" or have contact with a teacher on a social networking site while a student at HHS.  The link you reference discusses students who put up pages or have discussions about teachers/administrators.

Kathy, the link you referenced is interesting thanks for posting it.  

Jody, I agree with you and checked again with my daughter and son both in HHS. They both said they were told  until they leave/graduate high school, they cannot be "friends" with any teachers.  They both were not sure if it was a school, regional, or state policy/rule.

[James_Mazetta]

It really doesn't matter if it is "legal" or not it is not the right thing to do. Once it is in cyberworld it stays there.

[Arlene Gaona]

Once again, technology has come further than laws and rules.
Teachers have always run a thin line in their relationships with students at many levels. With Facebook some do and some don't 'friend' current students. Some socialize out of school with their students. Coaches in particular, end of season picnic...etc.
As far as I know there is no code of ethics but a certain behavior IS expected.
When i got my first 3 teaching jobs , all in my 20's , I was asked what i would do if a student asked me out?  Guess I gave the right answer as I got those jobs.

[Ray_Spengler]

It really doesn't matter if it is "legal" or not it is not the right thing to do. Once it is in cyberworld it stays there.

We need the gov't to impose more rules since there is a severe lack of common sense out there?  Really?  More rules?

Just a little common sense would go a long way............

[Jody_Branin]

Well yes!  There are plenty with common sense and for those who do not have it, make it against the law.
(It wasn't against the law to get a bogus degree either but it looks like soon it will be.)
Teachers have already gone to jail for taking the online "chat" one step further - and then some.  My former Middle School Music Teacher was one.

Now a coach at an end of season picnic is different - most likely the parents of the studens are there as well.  Trouble starts with the one on one.

Speaking of lack of common sense:

http://jerseyshore.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?g=437187&m=10473202&grpcat=

[James_Mazetta]

More laws won't do it either Ray. Police cannot enforce all the ones we have now.
People have to be responsible for their own actions, period. They can't keep running to the government for a handout or say you didn't tell me.