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Promoting Safe Social Media Use for Students and Teachers

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In today’s interconnected world, social media is a pervasive part of our daily lives, including in education. While it offers numerous benefits for learning and communication, it also presents significant risks and challenges. As both students and educators navigate the digital world, the importance of promoting safe social media use within schools becomes a high priority. This blog post delves into the importance of this issue, offering administrators strategies for navigating social media in their schools, the risks of social media, as well as federal laws.

The Importance of Safe Social Media Use in Schools

The rise of social media has been exponential, with both students and educators increasingly using these platforms for communication, collaboration, and learning. The use of social media in schools has opened a new world of possibilities, but it also brings with it potential risks and challenges. These range from cyberbullying and inappropriate content to privacy concerns and potential misuse of personal information.

It’s also important to be realistic. Social media isn’t going anywhere, and schools can play a pivotal role in educating students on how to safely navigate and leverage social media. If managed and used responsibly, it can serve as a powerful tool. A comprehensive approach to promoting safe social media use is needed to minimize potential risks and maximize its positive impacts.

            The Data on Student Social Media Use

  • Social media has an estimated 4.9 billion users, and projections of up to 5.85 billion users by 2027
  • 90% of teens ages 13-17 have used social media
  • The most popular social media apps among teens (ages 13-17) are YouTube (95%), TikTok (67%), Instagram (62%), and Snapchat (59%) (Pew Research Center, 2023)

Federal Laws Relating to Social Media

Federal laws are in place to safeguard students and their privacy, ensuring a secure online learning environment. In this section, we explore three crucial federal laws relating to social media and their implications for schools: the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These laws provide guidelines for schools to follow, addressing issues such as content filtering, online behavior education, parental consent, and the protection of student information. By delving into the details of these laws, we equip educators and administrators with the knowledge needed to navigate the legal complexities of social media in education effectively.

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

CIPA requires schools to filter and block obscene and harmful content on networks and devices. However, CIPA does not protect students from the full range of online threats.

As required by the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (an amendment to CIPA) schools must educate students about appropriate online behavior and cyberbullying awareness and response. This instruction should also include how students can protect themselves against online predators.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

COPPA requires that websites obtain parental consent before collecting or using personal information from users younger than 13. That said, schools are allowed to use online programs that benefit students — without direct parental consent — as long as the website operator will not use or disclose children’s personal information for commercial purposes. Parents are often informed of these policies through Acceptable Use Policies.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA protects the privacy of student education records. If you share images or information online that could be used to identify a student, you may be violating FERPA.

  • Seek parental permission every time student information is shared online.
  • Don’t allow students to post their images — or images of other students — on social media sites related to school use. If you find any such images, remove them immediately.

How does Social Media Affect Students?

The impact of social media on teens and students is multi-faceted. Jacqueline Nesi, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at Brown University who studies technology use in youth, shares with the American Psychology Association that,

“the primary benefit [of social media] is social connection, and that’s true for teens who are connecting with friends they already have or making new connections. On social media, they can find people who share their identities and interests.”

However, research has shown “distinct developmental windows during which adolescents are especially sensitive to social media’s impact.” For girls it’s between the ages of 11 to 13 and for boys it’s between 14 to 15. Understanding the pros and cons of teen social media use is essential for promoting healthy digital habits and mental well-being among students.

Positive Impact of Social Media on Students

  • Can improve connectedness and student engagement
  • Provides an outlet for creativity
  • Allows them to form support groups and find communities
  • Enables them to explore their identities

Negative Impact of Social Media on Students

Risks of Social Media for Students and Teachers

With some adults reportedly using social media platforms up to nine hours a day, and the US Surgeon General sharing that “nearly two thirds of teenagers report using social media every day and one third report using social media ‘almost constantly,’” it’s no surprise that there have been some uncertain outcomes. Below we cover the top risks associated with social media for students and teachers.

Social Media Risks for Students

  • Exposure to cyberbullying, cyberhate, and harassment
  • Access to pornography, violence, and other inappropriate content
  • Sexual predators
  • Sexting and sextortion
  • Online dating violence

Social Media Risks for Teachers

  • Sexual harassment from coworkers
  • Increased scrutiny from students, colleagues, parents/guardians, the community
  • Inappropriate relationships with students
  • More limited speech rights
  • Job loss

Protecting Teachers’ Safety on Social Media

Privacy is a crucial concern for educators on social media. Teachers, like any other users, are susceptible to cyber threats such as hacking, phishing, and identity fraud. A simple click on a suspicious link or an unwary post can lead to serious consequences, compromising personal information. To protect themselves, educators should adopt strong privacy settings on their social media accounts, be cautious about the information they share online, and understand the privacy policies of the platforms they use.

A teacher’s professional reputation can be significantly influenced by their online presence. Inappropriate posts, comments, or interactions can lead to negative perceptions, affecting their credibility and position. Even posts that seem innocuous have led to backlash. It’s vital for educators to maintain a professional demeanor online, just as they would in a physical classroom. They should consider separating their personal and professional accounts, setting strong privacy settings, and thinking twice before posting or interacting online.

Additionally, educators face the risk of blurred boundaries with students on social media. It’s essential for teachers to establish clear, professional boundaries to avoid any inappropriate interactions. This can be achieved by using dedicated educational platforms for student-teacher interactions, and refraining from accepting or sending friend requests to students on personal social media accounts. Employer handbooks or districts might have specific policies on student-teacher communications, teachers should be informed of the policies to ensure they can comply.

By being aware of these risks and taking preventative measures, educators can safely navigate social media, harnessing its benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls. It’s a delicate balance that requires constant vigilance and thoughtful action, but the payoff is a safer and more effective educational environment.

Strategies for School Administrators to Promote Safe Social Media Use

As a school administrator, it’s crucial to proactively promote safe social media use within your district. Here are seven strategies you can consider to help you navigate this digital landscape responsibly:

1. Create a District Social Media Policy

Start by developing a clear and comprehensive social media policy for your district. This policy should outline acceptable use, privacy guidelines, and consequences for violations. Ensure that all staff, students, and parents are aware of and understand this policy.

2. Have a Cyberbullying Response Plan

Cyberbullying can have severe consequences for students’ mental well-being. Establish a well-defined response plan for addressing cyberbullying incidents promptly and effectively. Encourage students and staff to report any cyberbullying they encounter or witness. Anonymous tip lines, like our Stay Safe. Speak Up! app can help give students a voice.

3. Provide Training to Staff

Educate your staff about the responsible use of social media and the district’s policies. They should be well-versed in identifying and addressing any issues that may arise online. Our online training for teachers offers courses like CIPA — Media Literacy and Digital Safety for Staff and Social Media: Personal and Professional Use, to ensure your staff are equipped to navigate social media safely.

4. Educate Students

Schools have a responsibility to teach students what it means to be responsible digital citizens. Digital citizenship involves applying the rules that govern acceptable behavior in the real world to the digital world. A digital citizenship curriculum can include topics such as privacy, security, relationships and communication, cyberbullying, digital footprints and reputation, media literacy, and copyright rules. Encourage open dialogues about online experiences.

5. Use Parent Consent/Opt-Out Forms

Obtain parental consent for students’ participation in online activities that may involve social media and/or the use of their child’s photo online. Offer opt-out options for parents who are uncomfortable with their child’s digital presence. This ensures transparency and respects parents’ concerns.

6. Leverage Classroom-Only Social Media

Consider using secure, classroom-specific social media platforms. These closed systems provide a controlled environment for learning and interaction, reducing exposure to the broader internet while still fostering collaboration.

7. Stay Up to Date on Current Social Media Platforms

Social media is constantly evolving. Stay informed about emerging platforms and trends. This knowledge allows you to adapt your policies and practices to new technologies effectively and address potential issues as they arise. Consider working with a student ambassador who can give you real-life insight into the platforms students are on and how they’re using them.

By implementing these strategies, school administrators can create a safer and more constructive social media environment for both students and staff, ensuring that the benefits of digital connectivity far outweigh the risks.

 

As technology and social media continue to evolve and adapt, we’ll continue to see its impact on students and education. In the coming years, we can expect to see additional research invested in the implications of social media on young people. We’re also starting to see organizations, like US Surgeons General and American Psychology Association, step up to influence policymakers to put more protections in place for children and adolescents, and hopefully hold tech companies responsible for their role in keeping the internet a safe space for all.

In conclusion, the integration of social media into education is here to stay. It’s a transformative tool that can enhance learning and communication. By embracing the potential of social media and addressing its challenges, we empower our students and teachers to thrive in the digital age. It’s a journey that demands constant vigilance, but the rewards are a safer and more constructive educational environment.