Test Post

Learn how to keep student information confidential on social media.

Social media is an increasingly important part of students' lives; in fact, the average teen spends over an hour a day using social media. Unfortunately, the same study reveals only 3 percent of the time tweens and teens spend online is focused on creation vs. consumption. To be true digital citizens, our students need teachers who model pro-social, creative, and responsible social media use.

So why are only one in 10 teachers using social media professionally? It can be a scary and confusing prospect when you're working in a school environment, from FERPA-compliance issues to headline-making incidents. It's no wonder many teachers avoid it entirely. In fact, 81 percent of teachers express concerns about the possible pitfalls that arise from mixing professional work with social media.

While social media can pose risks to student privacy, these risks can be managed with informed, intentional use. There's also a huge upside: Many teachers have used social media to share best practices, provide an authentic audience for student work, cultivate digital citizenship among their students, and build more connected school communities.