We’re all trying to keep up with social media and try to figure out how to use it and how not to use it. It can be especially tricky when work and life overlap a little bit in relationships such as the one between teachers and students. New York City is attempting to manage that situation by banning teachers from being Facebook friends with students or having any interaction with students through Twitter or other social media. No word on whether Friendster is included. The ban doesn’t include texting or phone calls and makes allowances for using social media as part of the overall class experience.
They may communicate with students via professional pages, devoted to classroom business like homework and study guides, but must get a supervisor’s approval before setting up such pages. Parents must sign a consent form before their children can participate on those pages.
And teachers should “have no expectation of privacy” when using social media, because principals and other officials will be on the lookout for any “questionable” behavior.