Facebook and Twitter warning to teachers who befriend pupils

Facebook and Twitter warning to teachers who befriend pupils

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9034485/Facebook-and-Twitter-warning-to-teachers-who-befriend-pupils.html

The General Teaching Council for England revealed shows that in 43 of the 336 cases for “unacceptable unprofessional conduct” teachers had used social media to get into contact with children. Also a wide diversity in school policy regarding social networking was revealed by this council. Karl Hopwood, an internet safety consultant says that schools should always have a clear policy about what is and is not allowed regarding social networking. Social network sites can have a positive effect too says Paul Heathcote from the GTC registar. It can motivate pupils and contribute to the teacher’s way of teaching.

Teachers should not be allowed to become friends with pupils on social network websites. If teachers want to make use of social network sites to motivate pupils or contribute to their teaching, the teachers should make a second social network account. One that is not linked to the private account of the teacher. I believe that this is the only way to prevent incidents like this to happen. On the other hand using social network is a great way to involve pupils in their education.