Maintaining a Professional Reputation Online:
Almost everyone in today’s society will manage a social networking account such as Facebook or Twitter, including teachers, in order to keep in touch with friends and family. However there are a number of precautions that must be taken in to consideration. For example, the friends you have, status updated, the photos you share and the comments you choose to make, if any, on certain individuals such as colleagues.
A recent TES survey found that 9% of teachers are friends with their pupils on social networking sites. It is not a good idea to accept any pupils or parents friend requests as it could damage your reputation as a teacher. If you accept these requests you are unveiling your personal life and information to your pupils, there may be photos that you are tagged in or status updates that could potentially leave yourself open to allegations of inappropriate contact or conduct.
It is vital that you are in control of who can and can not access your social network accounts and what you post online. Including photos, comments and any personal information. In order to protect your professional reputation, you need to be aware of the language you use, even if your account is private. Although it may seem clear, however, it has known to be done in the past, you should never post derogatory comments about your pupils or colleagues. Teachers are not only expected to uphold their own reputation online. They are also expected to maintain the reputation of the school as a whole, both within and outwith their work, in order for the public’s trust in their profession.
Other people’s posts may also have negative affects on you such as the photos that you are tagged in. It is recommended that if you are tagged in any inappropriate photos or photos that could potentially affect your profession, that you ‘untag’ yourself immediately. It is even a good idea to change your name online so that pupils, parents or employers are unable to access your personal sites.
The Argyll and Bute Social Media Policy sets clear guidelines for Argyll and Bute council employees to follow when using social media. After reading up on this and the Argyll and Bute Social Media Policy, I have become aware on the impact that social network sites can have on your profession. I will definitely make sure there is nothing online that could potentially be harmful to my career by taking the necessary steps.
