Despite the age limitations and appropriate age recommendation for creating a social media account, the reality is that children below the age of 12 are already on Facebook and similar sites. Unfortunately, some K-12 schools in America have yet to set up specific social media policy to help the students make use of the platform better.
So, does your child's school have such guidelines or are planning to come up with one? What should the social media policy in K-12 schools entail?
Mashable cites of the social media policy set up at a New Hampton School, which provides students and teachers with iPads. Chief of their concern is that the students and teachers must never become friends or follow each other on social media. The line has to be clearly drawn.
The school also encourages students to join Facebook groups to fuel their interests, such as sports. However, they are asked to mind their social media's privacy controls, as well as consider what they post publicly.
"Sometimes we'll find a student, whose profile is public, who's raising a bit of a red flag with their posts or tweets," Hans Mundahl of the school's technology and integration department told the news outlet. He added, "We'll normally update the student's adviser."
A teacher shares, via E-School News, that social media is a great tool for enhancing students' learning, as well as connecting or collaborating with the students' parents. But as a matter of policy, the teachers are to never tag the students in posts or photos, even if these are related to the lessons. The teachers have to respect the kids' privacy at all times.
According to Edutopia, schools in America have basic guidelines on internet use. However, social media policies in K-12 schools are different because the landscape is ever evolving, thus the rules have to be specific. The social media policies might also need continuous research and evaluation.
Additionally, it must ensure that the students' rights are not invaded or violated. Should the school consider coming up with the guidelines, it's best to consult the parents, the community and legal experts as well.
