Social Networking Policy

[Pete10141748]

I was PM'd asking for the social networking policy that my school uses, thought I'd put it here for anyone else who could make use of it. It's stripped down to just the content of the policy so feel free to take/use it as you need, just change the school name etc. to make it suit your own school

 

Social Networking Policy May 2012.docx

[elsiegee40]

Thanks for this

[Dos_Box]

Moving to E-Safety forum.

[Oaktech]

The only thing I would suggest adding to this is to mention on-line gaming platforms, as I am aware of a case of a malicious allegation made following a disagreement between a member of staff and a student over something that occurred during a multiplayer game. (I'd just like to point out it wasn't a member of staff here!)

[hardtailstar]

The only thing I would suggest adding to this is to mention on-line gaming platforms, as I am aware of a case of a malicious allegation made following a disagreement between a member of staff and a student over something that occurred during a multiplayer game. (I'd just like to point out it wasn't a member of staff here!)

 

thats a very good point!

 

most of us play some sort of online game so to have it in a policy would be good but how would you word it so that the staff can still play online etc?

[Oaktech]

our AUP says in essence that you shouldn't deliberately join teams with students, and if you discover that you have been participating with a student that you should stop, mention it to safeguarding, and find an alternative.

 

Le Edit:

 

Our exact wording:

 

"The stipulations above should extend to your use of any other online social activity such as communal gaming platforms, whether PC or console based. You should not knowingly game against or alongside students. If you become aware that you have accidentally done so, you should mention it to safeguarding as a precaution and find an alternative."

Edited February 13, 2013 by Oaktech

[elsiegee40]

our AUP says in essence that you shouldn't deliberately join teams with students, and if you discover that you have been participating with a student that you should stop, mention it to safeguarding, and find an alternative.

So does ours, but it includes all gaming platforms and consoles, not just online gaming.

[X-13]

just online gaming.

 

Surely it's all under "online gaming"... if it isn't online, it's single player. [Discounting local-co-op as they'd have to be in your house... which is a whole other problem.]

 

And the single player games you play are of no concern to the school. [Providing they're legal... I've heard of a few that could get you arrested.]

[elsiegee40]

Surely it's all under "online gaming"... if it isn't online, it's single player. [Discounting local-co-op as they'd have to be in your house... which is a whole other problem.]

 

And the single player games you play are of no concern to the school. [Providing they're legal... I've heard of a few that could get you arrested.]

You are correct, but unfortunately many people interpret online gaming as going to a website. They don't think that their xBox or their PS3 or whatever is online gaming

[witch]

So you could just add.."whether on a computer or an internet-enabled device such as an X-Box, PS3 or similar"

[X-13]

So you could just add.."whether on a computer or an internet-enabled device such as an X-Box, PS3 or similar"

 

*XBOX

 

**XBOX 360 [The original Xbox had it's live privledges cancelled in April 2010.]

 

 

 

But, that makes more sense. [To me at least...]

[sted]

*XBOX

 

**XBOX 360 [The original Xbox had it's live privledges cancelled in April 2010.]

 

 

 

But, that makes more sense. [To me at least...]

 

you can still take them online i used to play halo 1 online without live when i used my old console

[X-13]

you can still take them online i used to play halo 1 online without live when i used my old console

 

I thought the old style Xbox still needed a XBL Gold account to get online play?

[sted]

I thought the old style Xbox still needed a XBL Gold account to get online play?

 

theres ways round it iirc (and its been a while) client software on pc and it thinks its just a lan game

[X-13]

theres ways round it iirc (and its been a while) client software on pc and it thinks its just a lan game

 

Kai [Awesome bit of software, that is.]

 

But, for non-techies it's offline only.

[sted]

Kai [Awesome bit of software, that is.]

 

But, for non-techies it's offline only.

 

againits been a while but iirc took about 6 mouse clicks

[pingleby]

Of course other schools (especially secondary like mine) will make other choices about social media. There are a few of our teachers who have 'professional' twitter accounts (separate from their private accounts) that are designed for pupils to follow. Equally some departments have Facebook Pages where pupils will ask questions during key revision periods and other pupils or teachers can answer them. Obviously these things need to be transparent, but a 'no contact' policy can be a bad thing sometimes.

[elsiegee40]

but a 'no contact' policy can be a bad thing sometimes.

I'd love to know when @pingleby?

 

No contact through personal social media is the norm to protect the staff from allegations. Through school accounts that are managed and monitored, there can be a case. Using a member of staff's personal social networking or gaming account that is not easily managed or tracked leaves that member of staff very vulnerable and should be discounted for the sake of the career of the staff member if nothing else.

[pingleby]

Through school accounts that are managed and monitored, there can be a case. Using a member of staff's personal social networking or gaming account ... leaves that member of staff very vulnerable...

 

I don't disagree with you on that. But a 'no contact' policy to me means 'no contact'. I agree with 'no contact' through staff personal accounts, but think we're missing the educational potential if we rule out all form of contact through social media.

 

You asked when would a no contact policy be a bad idea. I gave two specific examples in my post. These would be prevented by a no contact policy, but I think they are useful and can be low risk if properly thought about. Where exactly do you disagree?