Opinions differ on student/ teacher Facebook relations

For Missouri teachers, it is time to see who their friends are.
A new Missouri law is putting limits on who teachers can friend on social networking sites. The law bans teachers from having social networking relationships with students that are not accessible to the students’ parents or guardians.
Supporters of the Missouri law argue social networking could be used by adults to facilitate sexual harassment or sexual abuse.
Opponents of the law argue some students may feel more comfortable confiding in a trusted adult through social networking.
In Newton, neither students nor teachers can access Facebook on school computers because of filtering software. That software is required by law, said Jill Lachenmayr, Newton assistant superintendent for human resources.
The district does not have a specific policy concerning teacher and student use of Facebook off campus.
However, Lachenmayr said the district has a blanket policy on student-staff relations.
The policy states, “Staff members shall maintain professional relationships with students, which are conducive to an effective educational environment.”
The policy goes on to say teachers may not submit students to sexual or racial harassment or have any interaction that is sexual in nature regardless of student’s age, status or consent.
The district’s policy on racial and sexual harassment goes on for several pages.
Lachenmayr said this covers both on-campus and off-campus interactions between students and teachers.
“I trust that our teachers are professional and only want what is best for students,” Lachenmayr said. “We trust that parents are going to monitor kids’ activities. As a school district, we are committed to providing a quality education. If a problem ever arises, we have a policy in place to take care of that.”
She said positive relationships between students and teachers are an important part of the learning process.
“Positive relationships are formed and maintained in the classroom on the athletic field and in the community,” she said, “and social networking can be a part of that positive interaction.”
Nathan Dick, Newton High School teacher and local NEA representative, disagreed. He compared being on Facebook with students to being in a classroom alone with a student.
“I don’t think (Facebook) has really been talked about,” Dick said. “As someone who looks after the safety of teachers, I don’t think I would tell one of my peers to use Facebook.”
Dick said he prefers e-mail and only advises the use of open bulletin boards that are available for public view.
Although Dick personally does not have a Facebook page, he said he does not support the Missouri law.
“I support the freedom of access and movement,” he said.
Some students at Newton High School said they have teachers as friends on Facebook, and the general attitude is it is no big deal.
All three students the Kansan spoke with said their parents and other family members are friends on Facebook and can see what is posted on their walls and their list of friends.
Raymond Gallegos, a sophomore, said he friended his English teacher because he was having trouble in that subject and wanted to ask her questions.
He says he sends messages to teachers when he is sick, so he can find out about homework and not fall behind.
Chloe Denno, a sophomore, friended an old middle school teacher, and Brianna Gouvion, junior, said she friended one of her little brother’s former teachers she had gotten to know.
The students say it is faster and easier to use the messaging system on Facebook, and they don’t use their e-mail often.
The students said sometimes it is easier to text or Facebook about problems than to talk about them face to face.
“I think I am very vocal,” Denno said. “But if it is a sore subject, I have a hard time talking about it. It is easier to write it down or text than to say it in person.”
Gouvion said having teachers and other adults as friends on Facebook makes her think twice about what she posts to the Internet.
Raymond said he agreed.
“You have to remember the golden laptop rule: Once it is on the Internet, it is there forever,” he said.

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