Another article to throw at staff: "Pupils are not your Facebook friends", Guardian

[AngryTechnician]

Nothing new or groundbreaking for those paying attention, but we all know staff who don't pay attention, so here's another reputably-sourced article to throw at those who insist on adding pupils at their friends on Facebook:

 

Pupils are not your Facebook friends, net privacy expert warns teachers | Education | guardian.co.uk

 

Also contains some pragmatic advice for SMT thinking of banning Facebook entirely:

 

Hopwood said a headteacher in Wiltshire had banned staff from keeping a Facebook profile, but added: "I don't think that's the way forward." Instead he urged teachers to be more sophisticated in their internet use. "Don't friend pupils on social networking sites. Set up a group to link up with the orchestra or the rugby team."

[sted]

or even have 2 profiles one for people from school one not

[Arthur]

Another thing to watch out for is students posing as teachers and then requesting to be friends with you. This happened at my school once and caught quite a few people out.

 

Also, why does that article only mention teachers? Schools have support staff too!!!

[bodminman]

Also, why does that article only mention teachers? Schools have support staff too!!!

 

You should know by now that we count for nothing!

[tech_guy]

We are the great unwashed.

[mattx]

'Karl Hopwood, an internet safety consultant'

 

Oh please........ That has to be a made up title.

[AngryTechnician]

or even have 2 profiles one for people from school one not

 

I've heard this suggestion before, and in isolation it's still not a good way of doing things. The reason is that it still gives you a private channel for communication with pupils that has no oversight by the school, unlike school email which can be monitored. Without oversight, you are leaving yourself open to unpleasant accusations.

 

If you are going to use a separate profile to befriend pupils, I recommend that multiple staff know the login details, including someone in SMT.

 

For those complaining about the lack of mention of support staff, remember that this article covered an NUT event. Unlike ATL, The NUT does not accept support staff (or indeed any unqualified teaching staff) into their membership, so the event would have been aimed solely at teachers and the coverage will reflect that.

Edited April 25, 2011 by AngryTechnician

[bodminman]

Which muppet has given me neg rep for my comment above???

 

If you no likey likey then the least you can do is ask me about it!

 

At the end of the day the comment made was my opinion and is exactly how I feel!

 

Grow up and get a life!

[sted]

its all a fair point

 

you have to be careful what you put on facebook as in effect its in the public domain so never write anything you wouldnt want people to see its common sense. Same as ive locked my profile down and wont put place of work (and i dont know why anyone does) and have removed all school/college details if i havmt seen you since school in all probability its because i dont care