By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Local educators wary of double-edged sword of social media
0429facebook2
Students and teachers are hesitant to embrace socializing with each other online. Local school systems do not have a policy pertaining to social media usage for educators. - photo by Photo illustration by Scott Rogers | The Times
Facebook has more than 840 million users worldwide.Some are CEOs, construction workers, college students — and some are teachers.But the lines between the professional world and the personal world of social media can get blurred.It’s an issue of special concern to teachers, where social media has been the catalyst to the end of some educators’ careers.Local school systems do not have policies on social media interaction between teachers and students.“What we continue to point teachers towards, because it really fits all situations, including social media, is the Georgia Professional Standards code of ethics as it deals with personal-professional relationships,” said Will Schofield, Hall County Schools superintendent.Many teachers follow their own guidelines.Emily Webster, a teacher at Gainesville High School, said she will not “friend” a current student but will accept a request after that student graduates. She, however, will not be the one sending the friend request.“I just think that’s kind of creepy,” Webster said. “I just think you have to be as professional as you can.