So, here's something that I struggle with. I have parents of some of my students who use Facebook to communicate and have asked that I be their Facebook friend. So, if I do accept, not only do I have to deal with them professionally, now they have access to see any information that I choose to put on Facebook. Not only that, students have requested that I be their Facebook friend.
With the students, I just click ignore, but with the parents it is a little more difficult, so I have chosen to accept their requests because I want them to know that we are on the same team (for their child). My wife and I share a Facebook account (because we're old and don't really like using Facebook) and only post family pictures on the site, so we're not too worried about parents finding out too much about us.
I really feel that there has to be a professional boundary that teachers follow (like never being a Facebook friend with a student). The problem with teaching in a small town is that everyone knows you, or thinks they know you. Teachers need to enjoy some anonymity, so have to be careful about what information they put on Facebook and who they choose to add as friends. I made the mistake of adding an old classmate as a friend and now have friend invitations by women (porn stars I suppose) with names like Jugs Galore and Frisky Tootimes.
Facebook friends....be careful...be smart...be safe.
I understand your concerns with facebook. I am also in a small community but fortunately my job and home are in two separate communities. I have not ventured to have a facebook account as my experience have not been positive. I understand the positive aspects but it is very easy to get side tracked into the negative aspect. I agree that students as friends is not a good idea and the rest one must be very careful.
ReplyDeleteYes, befriending students on Facebook is a definite no-no, and MTS does not support it. You raise a good point about parents. Personally, I wouldn't befriend a parent on Facebook, either. If they wanted to contact me, they can use my school email address. Sounds kind of harsh, but one never knows how things can get interpreted. Better safe than sorry!
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