The Power of Social Media

L.A. Unified School District is Keeping Tabs on the Social Media Use of its Employees

By now, we're all aware of the power of social media. It can be a source of good in a variety ways, from being a guide to new information, to being a powerful globally-recognized social organizing tool.

L.A. Unified School District's Social Media Policies

But sometimes social media can be a source of disruption....for school districts.

Recently, the Los Angeles Unified School District's bulletin regarding their standards for social media use of their employees, including of their teachers and educators, has come under attack by some, and has been praised by others.

A sampling of the policies can be found below:

"1. Keep personal social network accounts separate from work related

accounts. When a student or minor wishes to link to an employee’s

personal social networking site, redirect them to the school approved

website. Accepting invitations to non-school related social networking sites

from parents, students or alumni under the age of 18 is strongly

discouraged, and on a case-by-case basis, may be prohibited by the site

administrator. (BUL – 5167.0, Code of Conduct with Students –

Distribution and Dissemination Requirement Policy)

2. Any employee or associated person engaging in inappropriate conduct

including the inappropriate use of social media sites during or after school

hours may be subject to discipline.

3. Never post any identifying student information including names, videos and

photographs on any school-based, personal or professional online forum or

social networking website, without the written, informed consent of the

child’s parent/legal guardian and the principal.

4. Never share confidential or privileged information about students or

personnel (e.g., grades, attendance records, or other pupil/personnel record

information).

5. Users should have no expectation of privacy regarding their use of District

property, network and/or Internet access to files, including email. The

District reserves the right to monitor users’ online activities and to access,

review, copy, and store or delete any electronic communication or files

and/or disclose them to others as it deems necessary. [Refer to BUL –999.4,

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) For District Computer Systems]

6. Posting inappropriate threatening, harassing, racist, biased, derogatory,

disparaging or bullying comments toward or about any student, employee,

or associated person on any website is prohibited and may be subject to

discipline."

To read the full bulletin, click here.

Do you agree with the district's stance? Do you think these policies will help to create a more peaceful environment for all involved? Does your district have similar policies?

Please join us in this conversation!

To learn more about this issue, read the articles surrounding it in The Huffington Post and LA Weekly.

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Have a great Labor Day weekend! Enjoy!

- The Project Tomorrow team