Social Networking Teachers

New York, July 8, 2008 –Some young teachers are getting in trouble or even losing their jobs because of their social networking profiles on sites such as MySpace and Facebook. But many teachers maintain these profiles anyway because they say they're an important part of their social lives. In an online poll that took place from May through July, 2008, visitors to TeachersCount.org were asked to offer their opinions on how Internet-savvy teachers should balance their professional lives and their desire to express themselves online.

A total of 174 respondents, 151 of whom described themselves as educators, participated in the poll.  Participants chose among the following possible responses:

• Teachers who are interested in online social networking should post what they wish online without regard to their professional lives.
• Teachers have every right to maintain social networking profiles but should be very careful to make use of privacy controls and avoid posting anything that might offend a parent, student, colleague, or administrator. If they do cause offense, then it is fair for them to suffer the consequences.
• It is not appropriate for teachers to maintain social networking profiles.

The vast majority of respondents (80.5%) felt that teachers should be able to maintain social networking sites if they wish, but with a heightened sense of caution so as to avoid offending their communities or even losing their jobs. Another 13.8% of respondents said that teachers should maintain their social networking sites without any concern for their professional lives and only 5.7% of respondents agreed that it is never appropriate for teachers to maintain social networking profiles.

Educators and non-educators did not differ greatly in their responses. Very few non-educators responded overall, with only 13.2% of the total votes. However, most of them (78.3%) chose the second response that teachers should engage in online networking as long as they are careful. Similarly, 80.8% of all educators held the opinion that teachers should be allowed to participate in social networking sites, but they should also be heavily guarded in their participation. Only 17.4% of all non-educators and 13.2% of all educators chose the first response, while 4.3% of non-educators and 6% of educators chose the third response.

The poll invited respondents to comment, and many of them did. Below is a sampling of comments arranged by response.

“Teachers who are interested in online social networking should post what they wish online without regard to their professional lives.” – 13.8%

• “Teachers should use their best professional judgment when posting things online, continually reflecting on "higher moral standards."  To refuse teachers the right to online social networking portrays that teachers cannot be trusted to make wise and professionally sound choices.  What would be taken away next?”
•  “I feel that a teacher should be able to post what they'd like, but common sense must be in full force.  I feel that appropriate use of security features should be used in order to monitor who is accessing their online profiles and protect themselves from potential backlash.”

“Teachers have every right to maintain social networking profiles but should be very careful to make use of privacy controls and avoid posting anything that might offend a parent, student, colleague, or administrator. If they do cause offense, then it is fair for them to suffer the consequences.” – 80.5%

• “Teachers should be aware of the ethics laws for the state in which they teach. When posting materials, teachers should ask themselves "Is this respectable?"  Teachers need to command respect and how one behaves can determine how well one is respected.”
• “As teachers, we are expected to sacrifice so much for our jobs- sometimes too much. I think as long as they don't intermingle with students and others under the age of 18, and they take common sense precautions, teachers should be allowed to have profiles. Our private lives should remain private.”
• “Teachers need to remember that they hold a position in the community as role models and should act accordingly.”

“It is not appropriate for teachers to maintain social networking profiles.” – 5.7%

• “I was on both MySpace and Facebook during college; however I removed myself from both of these social networks, when some of my students were asking to be my friend online.  I do not think it is appropriate for students to contact a teacher in a social area outside of school.”