Teachers In Missouri Banned From Being Facebook Friends With Students
Students and teachers have had a rough time navigating the new world of social media together. For every advantage that students receive from having more access to help and counsel via chat groups, online tutoring and immediate email feedback from their peers and mentors, teachers and students also walk a dangerous line where they could become “too personally involved,” at least in cyberspace. And without constant outside supervision to ensure all interaction is “proper,” who knows what could happen?
At least, that appears to be the argument behind a new bill signed into law by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, that bans “student-teacher friendships” on social networks, like Facebook at twitter. The law, intended to keep personal interaction at an absolute minimum to ensure all relationships are entirely professional and public, can be seen as a reasonable step to protect student safety and teacher jobs in some circles. But others complain that the vagueness of the language of the law makes it unclear what actually counts as a violation.
The law forbids any online interaction between “teachers and current or former students” on any system that allows private messages. But does “students” refer to anyone in your class? Or your school? Or anyone in any classroom at any school? Does former mean students you used to teach, and if so, for how long? And how does this apply to twitter, where often people aren’t even sure totally sure of the names and identities of everyone who follows them?
It’s an interesting question. Based on the broad definitions in the bill, there are teachers in my high school who could be accused of violating a similar ban if there was one, by friending me on Facebook — even though I haven’t seen many of them in person in over about 15 years.
There arguably are very few advantages to a teacher allowing current students access to his or her facebook profile. But having a law that prohibits it likely isn’t the answer, either. In an attempt to make the language as broad as possible, Missouri instead has written a law that will do little to really stifle inappropriate student/teacher behavior while setting up barriers that may not really be necessary.
Related Stories:
School Districts Struggle With Social Media Policy
Not Smart: Teachers Mock Elementary School Students on Facebook
6 Girls Arrested For Facebook Attack-A-Teacher Day
photo credit: wikimedia commons
Thanks.