Ontario teachers are being warned not to "friend" their students on social-networking websites such as Facebook or send e-mails to them from their personal accounts.
In an attempt to set some ground rules for electronic communication and social media use and prevent any problematic scenarios, the Ontario College of Teachers is telling its 230,000 members to maintain "professional boundaries" with their students and avoid any personal interaction on websites such as Facebook or Twitter.
"The simpler message for Ontario certified teachers is this: Represent yourself in social media the same way you would in person," college registrar Michael Salvatori says in a statement.
Teachers shouldn't send or accept Facebook friend requests involving students, personal e-mail addresses should be kept private and text messages shouldn't be exchanged with students, according to the advisory.
The rules are clearly defined in a professional advisory that was released to the public Monday after it was distributed to Ontario teachers.
Despite the explosion of social media, online communication between staff and students should be done via "established education platforms" such as websites set up for a school project or class, the OCT says.
"The dynamic between a (OCT) member and a student is forever changed when the two become ‘friends' in an online environment," the advisory says.
While interacting with students in an online setting, teachers shouldn't share information with students that they wouldn't share in class, the advisory says.
Be aware of pitfalls: OCT
The OCT says social media does have its uses to enhance the "learning experience" in schools, but the organization warns teachers that they should be mindful of the pitfalls.
Teachers may become vulnerable to unintended misuses of any material posted to the Internet, be it messages or photos.
The purpose of the advisory is to prevent any kind of contact that goes outside the usual in-school teacher-student relationship.
In addition to setting boundaries for social media, the advisory also contains suggestions for teachers' general Internet use.
Online communication with students or Internet use that is deemed to be inappropriate can result in disciplinary action.
Behaviours that could warrant disciplinary action or criminal charges include sending graphic sexual materials and downloading pornography on school equipment, the OCT says.
