Scoil San Nioclás – Social Media Usage Policy
Introduction
The community of Scoil San Nioclás is aware of and acknowledges that an increasing number of adults and children are using social network sites. The widespread availability and usage of social media applications gives pupils, parents and staff greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate and develop skills for work and life. It is important that we are able to use these technologies and services effectively and flexibly for educational purposes. However, it is also important that we balance this with the reputation and safety of our pupils and staff online.
Rationale
This policy was drafted in consultation with the Board of Management, staff, parents and pupils to protect staff and pupils and to advise the school leadership on how to deal with inappropriate use of social networking sites.
Aims
Guidelines for Pupils
General guidelines
Guidelines for Parents/Guardians
Parents / Guardians are asked to support the school by:
Staff
The school will take action if it considers that a parent/guardian has used social media in a way that
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually.
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on _______________________.
Signed: _______________________________ (Chairperson, Board of Management)
Date: _______________________________
Introduction
The community of Scoil San Nioclás is aware of and acknowledges that an increasing number of adults and children are using social network sites. The widespread availability and usage of social media applications gives pupils, parents and staff greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate and develop skills for work and life. It is important that we are able to use these technologies and services effectively and flexibly for educational purposes. However, it is also important that we balance this with the reputation and safety of our pupils and staff online.
Rationale
This policy was drafted in consultation with the Board of Management, staff, parents and pupils to protect staff and pupils and to advise the school leadership on how to deal with inappropriate use of social networking sites.
Aims
- To set standards for safe, responsible and appropriate use of social media that are consistent with values upheld by our school community.
- To protect the safety and wellbeing of pupils, staff and the entire school community.
- To protect the reputation of the school.
- To ensure that our school is not exposed to legal risks.
- To ensure that social media users can easily distinguish between information which is legitimately representative of the school and that which is not.
- Online behaviour of staff/volunteers shall, at all times, be respectful of others.
- Staff/volunteers shall not interact with or accept as ‘friends’ on their own social networking sites any pupil of the school.
- Staff/volunteers shall not discuss pupils or colleagues or criticise school policies or personnel on social networking sites.
- Staff/volunteers shall not post confidential pupil information on social networking sites.
- Staff/volunteers shall not spread rumours or false information regarding the school and its community.
- Staff/volunteers shall be personally responsible for what they publish online.
- The online behaviour of staff/volunteers should reflect the standards of respect and honesty which are consistent with the standards that apply on the school premises and which are in accordance with the ethos and values of Scoil San Nioclás.
Guidelines for Pupils
General guidelines
- Pupils should never share personal information online.
- Pupils should not join any social networking sites if they are below the permitted age (13 years old for most networking sites).
- Pupils should tell their parents if they are using social networking sites and should let them know when they are online.
- Pupils should be aware that social media sites are public, not private, forums and as such are accessible to all.
- Pupils should know how to report online abuse and inappropriate content.
- Pupils should respect the rights and confidentiality of others.
- Pupils should not bully, intimidate, abuse, harass or threaten others online.
- Pupils should not impersonate or falsely represent another person online.
- Pupils should not use offensive or threatening language online.
- Pupils should follow the school’s Code of Conduct when posting online.
- Pupils should respect the reputation of the school and those within its community.
- Pupils should not make inappropriate or defamatory comments online (including in private messages) about the school, teachers, pupils or other members of the school community. This behaviour will be regarded as Cyber Bullying.
- Pupils may not bring mobile phones or smart devices to school. Exceptions to this rule must be agreed between parent/guardian and principal.
- Pupils may not access social media on school devices or on their own devices while at school.
- Pupils may not upload video, audio or photographs of any member of the school community without their permission.
Guidelines for Parents/Guardians
Parents / Guardians are asked to support the school by:
- Not posting inappropriate photos or comments that include or relate to pupils, staff or any member of the school community of Scoil San Nioclás.
- Being aware that most social media sites have a minimum age restriction of 13 years of age. You are in breach of terms and conditions if you knowingly set up an account for an underage child.
- Not discussing the business of the school or any pupil attending the school on any public forum including social networking sites.
- In the event of a teacher setting up social media activities in school, parents/guardians are asked to sign a consent form in advance.
Staff
- If a member of staff posts inappropriate comments or images online, he/she will face internal disciplinary action in line with their contract of employment.
- If a member of staff makes inappropriate contact with a pupil on social media, he/she will face internal disciplinary action in line with their contract of employment.
- If contact of a sexual nature via social media is suspected, the Gardaí will be informed.
- If a pupil is deemed to have contravened the guidelines or rules set out in this policy, the matter will be dealt with in line with the school’s Code of Conduct and / or Anti-Bullying Policy.
The school will take action if it considers that a parent/guardian has used social media in a way that
- could pose a threat to a pupil or any member of the school community
- could cause distress to any member of the school community
- could have negative repercussions for the orderly running of the school
- could adversely affect the reputation of the school.
- being requested to remove the posting
- being requested to meet the in-school management and/or Board of Management
- In serious cases, legal action may be taken.
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually.
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management on _______________________.
Signed: _______________________________ (Chairperson, Board of Management)
Date: _______________________________