Rated "R" Social Media

Daphne Donaldson Director of Human Resources, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Louisiana

Across the country, school district policies are trying to catch up with the Social Media phenomenon as it applies to both student and employee usage. Districts are grappling with employees, i.e., teachers, paraprofessionals, and principals, whose posts are professionally questionable. These issues range from teacher-student contact on Social Media to teachers posting negative information about their students, supervisors, or other employees.

You may be wondering about First Amendment Rights and whether school districts have the right to regulate what an adult does on Social Media. I understand the First Amendment, and it is clear with regards to a person’s right to free speech. I guarantee you that our Founding Fathers never could have imagined what we are dealing with today in schools across the country.

The next time you are about to post something on Social Media, consider these “R” factors before you post it. Ask yourself: ü Do I have the RIGHT to share this? ü Is this the RIGHT thing to do? ü Am I willing to take RESPONSIBILITY if this post goes viral or is shared without my permission? ü Will I REGRET this tomorrow when I am not angry, upset, or guided by my feelings? ü Is the RISK worth the REWARD of 15 minutes of fame or shame that may come from this posting? ü Am I READY for the social, emotional, verbal, or legal battle that may occur after I post this?

I advise you to take a breath and consider venting in another manner. We’ve all been there, but just because a response comes up to our brain doesn’t mean it must come out on the internet. In this profession, you will have good days and bad days, but remember whatever you put on the internet can be shared and reposted well beyond what you had planned.