Online Social Online Social Networking Sites: Networking Sites:

Ethical Concerns for Ethical Concerns for TeachersTeachers

Christiana ByrneChristiana ByrneFebruary 10, 2009February 10, 2009

RationaleRationaleThe purpose of this presentation is to inform teachers of The purpose of this presentation is to inform teachers of

thethe

unique ethical issues posed by their participation in unique ethical issues posed by their participation in onlineonline

social networking sites, such as MySpace and FaceBook.social networking sites, such as MySpace and FaceBook.

These sites are incredibly popular, and many teachers, as These sites are incredibly popular, and many teachers, as wellwell

as students use these services. As this is a relatively newas students use these services. As this is a relatively new

phenomenon, there is currently much debate in regards phenomenon, there is currently much debate in regards to itsto its

ethical use by teachers. In order to increase teachers’ethical use by teachers. In order to increase teachers’

awareness, this presentation will address the key areas ofawareness, this presentation will address the key areas of

concern, discuss trends in school policy, and highlightconcern, discuss trends in school policy, and highlight

examples of clearly unethical teacher behavior in relation examples of clearly unethical teacher behavior in relation toto

these sites. these sites.

ObjectivesObjectivesTeachers will recognize the public nature of online social Teachers will recognize the public nature of online social networking websites.networking websites.

Teachers will understand the relationship between the Teachers will understand the relationship between the material they post online and the teachers’ ethical code material they post online and the teachers’ ethical code of conduct.of conduct.

Teachers will be able to judge whether it is appropriate Teachers will be able to judge whether it is appropriate to maintain online relationships with students.to maintain online relationships with students.

Teachers will be able to give examples of recent trends Teachers will be able to give examples of recent trends in school policies and cases of unethical teacher in school policies and cases of unethical teacher behavior concerning online networking websites.behavior concerning online networking websites.

ContentsContents1.1. What are Online Social Networks?What are Online Social Networks?2.2. Code of Ethics and Online PostingsCode of Ethics and Online Postings3.3. Online Teacher/Student Online Teacher/Student

RelationshipsRelationships4.4. School PolicySchool Policy5.5. Examples of Inappropriate and Examples of Inappropriate and

Illegal Online Teacher BehaviorIllegal Online Teacher Behavior6.6. ConclusionConclusion

What are Online Social What are Online Social Networks?Networks?

User posts profileUser posts profile

MySpace and MySpace and FaceBookFaceBook

Public Public

Code of Ethics and Online Code of Ethics and Online PostingsPostings

““The education profession is The education profession is vested byvested by

the public with a trust andthe public with a trust andresponsibility requiring the responsibility requiring the

highesthighestideals of professional service.”ideals of professional service.”

(nea.org) (nea.org)

Teachers are role models.Teachers are role models.

Teachers disciplined for Teachers disciplined for offensive, crude, and sexually offensive, crude, and sexually oriented web postings.oriented web postings. (suite101.com)(suite101.com)

Video:Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJM-SQjUBc

Online Teacher/Student Online Teacher/Student RelationshipsRelationships

96% of students have used social 96% of students have used social networking technology. networking technology. (nsba.org)(nsba.org)

50% of online students talk about 50% of online students talk about homework.homework.

Online Teacher/Student Online Teacher/Student RelationshipsRelationships

NEA Code of Ethics:NEA Code of Ethics:

The educator...The educator...6. Shall not unfairly-- (c.) 6. Shall not unfairly-- (c.) Grant any advantage to Grant any advantage to any student.any student.

7. Shall not use 7. Shall not use professional professional relationships with relationships with students for private students for private advantage. advantage. (nea.org)(nea.org)

Video: Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOJn8jyH2pg

School PolicySchool PolicyMost schools have no clear Most schools have no clear policy.policy.

Districts recognize a need.Districts recognize a need.

Jefferson City, MO- Bill Jefferson City, MO- Bill proposed. proposed.

Scituate, MA- Policy drafted.Scituate, MA- Policy drafted.

Two Mississippi school Two Mississippi school districts imposed a ban. districts imposed a ban.

Examples of Inappropriate Examples of Inappropriate and Illegal Online Teacher and Illegal Online Teacher

BehaviorBehavior1 in 5 teachers in Ohio disciplined for inappropriate 1 in 5 teachers in Ohio disciplined for inappropriate sexual behavior used the internet. sexual behavior used the internet. (sexlaws.org)(sexlaws.org)

Teacher sent sexual images to a 14-year-old over Teacher sent sexual images to a 14-year-old over MySpace. MySpace. (dnj.com)(dnj.com)

Teaching assistant posted disturbing messages on Teaching assistant posted disturbing messages on student’s MySpace page. student’s MySpace page. (wmur.com)(wmur.com)

Conclusion- Teacher Ethics Conclusion- Teacher Ethics and Online Social and Online Social Networks:Networks:

Online social networks are Online social networks are public.public.

Do not post inappropriate Do not post inappropriate material.material.

Be cautious about online Be cautious about online relationships with students.relationships with students.

Follow school policy.Follow school policy.

Be aware of the rampant Be aware of the rampant unethical use of these sites- do unethical use of these sites- do not do anything that can be not do anything that can be misinterpreted.misinterpreted.

References:References: http://www.boston.com/news/loca

l/articles/2007/04/16/scituate_eyes_teachers_use_of_networking_websites/

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2008/01/30/education-committee-chairwoman-proposes-teacher-st/

http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071023/NEWS01/710230312

http://www.nea.org/home/10531.htm

http://www.nsba.org/site/docs/41400/41340.pdf

http://school-staff-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/social_networking_sites_and_teacher_integrity

http://www.sexlaws.org/http://www.sexlaws.org/new_jersey_teacher_arrested_for_new_jersey_teacher_arrested_for_graphic_images_broadcast_over_graphic_images_broadcast_over_myspacemyspace

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/jun/02/palm-beach-county-2008/jun/02/palm-beach-county-teachers-post-questionable-conte/teachers-post-questionable-conte/

http://www.wmur.com/http://www.wmur.com/education/14857818/detail.htmleducation/14857818/detail.html

Online Articles for Further Online Articles for Further Reading: Reading: http://www.cnn.com/http://www.cnn.com/

2008/TECH/08/12/2008/TECH/08/12/studentsteachers.online/studentsteachers.online/index.html?index.html?iref=newssearchiref=newssearch

http://http://www.washingtonpost.com/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/27/2008/04/27/AR2008042702213_pf.htmAR2008042702213_pf.htmll