To Tweet Or Not To Tweet: Managing The Risk And Rewards Of Using Social Media In Schools

The unstoppable rise of social media has resulted in many headlines over the past few months. Whether it be naming footballers otherwise protected by a super-injunction or a breeding ground for salubrious gossip, the use of social media - and particularly twitter and facebook - has become entrenched in our everyday lives. Twitter now has more than 200 million registered users worldwide with 10 million active users in the UK, generating around 65 million unregulated tweets per day. Facebook has more than 800 million active users worldwide (and an Oscar winning film under its belt). With statistics like these, there is more than a chance that a large proportion of the school community will be sharing their lives, thoughts, photos, videos and opinions with anyone who shows the slightest interest. Establishing clear guidelines and parameters for the use of social media within the school media is, therefore, crucial. However, schools' social media policies vary widely, with some schools not having a policy at all to others having clearly defined rules and policies in this area which, include, for example, a prohibition on teachers becoming friends with pupils on facebook. According to an article in the Guardian earlier this year, more than 1 in 10 teachers accused of misconduct last year had used social networking sites and email to establish inappropriate relationships with their pupils. The use of social networking sites in cases of cyber-bullying is also increasing. According to statistics released by the NSPCC in November 2011, 38% of young people have been affected by cyber-bullying. Statistics such as these mean that the benefits of using social media may be overlooked. However, the growing trend towards social media presents a unique opportunity to get a positive image and brand of a school into the public domain as well as providing an efficient way of sharing information, knowledge and best practice with members of the school community, such as teachers, parents, pupils and governors. Virtual communities can also offer excellent networking and information sharing opportunities. Used properly by schools, social media can provide positive and valuable ways of enhancing teaching methods, information sharing and marketing processes. For example, facebook could be used to share information with parents about school trips or to follow the progress of a particular sport's team tour. But as well as opportunities for business, there are a...