Cyberbaiting is a real problem. According to the Norton Online Family Report—which tracks online habits of youth—one in five teachers has experienced cyberbaiting.
Cyberbullying is a hot topic. But what is cyberbaiting? Cyberbaiting is when students provoke teachers, record their reactions, then threaten to upload the video, and it is a growing phenomenon. Students who want to get back at teachers they don’t like for one reason or another can exercise power over the teacher this way.
According to the report, 67% of teachers surveyed say that “friending” students on social networks puts them at risk, yet 34% “friend” students despite the risk.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in the UK, worked with Norton on the study. President Alice Roberts told the Huffington Post UK that cyberbaiting “exposes the victim to widespread public humiliation. It can be hugely damaging to self-esteem, confidence, and reputation—it can even break careers.”
A shade more than half of the teachers said that their schools have social media policies intact, online codes of conduct, on how students and teachers should or should not communicate on the Internet.
Having a social media online conduct policy in place at your school protects your school, your teachers, and your students from potential high risk. According to Michael Brisciana, ISM Human Resources Consultant, a well-conceived “personal social media usage policy” for private schools will include clear communication of the school's expectations regarding:
- Friending—expressing whether it is appropriate or not for teachers to “friend” students, young alumni, and parents
- Responsibility—explaining who is responsible for managing the school’s official social media presence (posting content, uploading photos, etc.)
- Accountability—communicating when faculty and staff are authorized to “speak” on the school’s behalf in social media, and when they are not (i.e., can personal blog posts identify the faculty member’s position and school)
- Confidentiality—specifying that all school employees are required to protect confidential school, student, and family data at all times
The primary issue is clear communication of expectations, consistent with the school’s mission, culture, and values.
Read a summary of Norton Online Family Report findings.
Read the complete report here. Learn more about social media policies from Michael Brisciana in Social Media Policies 2.0 from the recorded Webinar library.
(And here’s a secret—Like us on Facebook and you can get a coupon to save 15% on the recorded Webinar of your choice! Facebook.com/ismfanpage>Coupons. Valid through December 15, 2011.)
Additional ISM resources of interest
If you would like a sample social media policy, e-mail Michael Brisciana.
ISM Private School News Vol. 9 No. 5 Social Media: Weighing the Risks
ISM Private School News Vol. 10 No. 4 Social Media Disasters: Costs, Dangers, and Quagmires
Additional ISM resources for Consortium Members
Ideas & Perspectives, Vol. 35. No. 1 Faculty and Staff Use of Social Media: Sample Policy
