https://padlet.com/ebirdwell/bjc0406zohev065u The Legal & Ethical Principles of Social Media Conduct en-us 2021-09-27 23:51:44 UTC 2025-04-16 18:57:45 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4f1.png ebirdwell https://padlet.com/ebirdwell/bjc0406zohev065u/wish/1772684864 As the Director of Communications for Seminole ISD, it is imperative that I monitor the overall conduct of employees of the district when they represent and/or associate as an employee of the school district on their personal social media platforms. This informational guide is intended as professional development for both new and existing employees during teacher inservice prior to the start of the school year.

]]> 2021-09-27 23:55:59 UTC https://padlet.com/ebirdwell/bjc0406zohev065u/wish/1772684864 ebirdwell https://padlet.com/ebirdwell/bjc0406zohev065u/wish/1772688162 Social media is an important factor in today's society. School districts must establish policies in order to enforce ethical and professional behaviors of it’s employees. This includes representing the school district on personal social media platforms. As social media continues to evolve and play an integral part and a means of communicating the successes of students and staff with its community stakeholders, the District must stay abreast of any potential legal issues. The ability to create a policy that protects both the district and the employees speech and employee rights, is a difficult task.

]]> 2021-09-27 23:58:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ebirdwell/bjc0406zohev065u/wish/1772688162 ebirdwell https://padlet.com/ebirdwell/bjc0406zohev065u/wish/1772689023 If an employee's electronic communications violates state or federal laws, or prohibits them from performing their job duties, the district may have reason for disciplinary action. Electronic communication includes the use of any electronic device, such as a telephone, computer, computer network, personal data assistant, or pager. (Texas Association of School Boards, 2019).

• E-mails
• Text Messages
• Instant Messages
• Any Communications through an Internet website
• Social Media Website / Social Network

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There is a trending issue of teachers' posting controversial and/or inappropriate content, although not intended for the school community, is seen by students, families, and colleagues.

School Districts develop policies that balance the First Amendment rights of its teachers while upholding the integrity of the institution (Vasek et al., 2016). 

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Educator and fitness instructor gets suspended with pay after a Facebook video of her dancing on a pole is leaked.

Local policy prohibits posting of "indecent" photos or graphics.

Local policy states the employee is a role model for its students and, "employees are responsible for their public conduct even when they aren't performing their job duties as employees of the school system" (Schwartz, 2018).

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Constitutional Law

Congress shall make no law that prohibits the freedom of speech (U.S. Const. amend. I).

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Constitutional law

Cannot deprive a person of life, liberty or property without due process (U.S. Const. amend. XIV).

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Section 1.7 of Texas Administrative Code of Ethics

The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws (19 T.A.C. § 247.2).

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Judicial law

Teachers have the right to speak on important public issues without having their position terminated (Pickering v. Board of Education, 1968).

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• Administrative law
• Personal Use of Electronic Communications - Teachers are responsible for their conduct even when they are not acting as district employees. This includes all forms of social media (Seminole ISD Employee Handbook, 2021).

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More employers and recruiters now regularly check social media profiles of individuals who are applying for a position. 

Status updates, tweets, check-ins, pictures, videos, and "liked" content and pages are taken into consideration when employers are vetting a candidate.

Content shared by a creator can "live forever, even if you delete them later" (Ashford, 2021).

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A school district's social media policy must be aligned with the constitutional rights of its employees, as deemed by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

An employee may speak on issues of public importance without being dismissed from their duties; i.e. terminated.

An employee's social media content must not interfere and/or hinder their ability to do their job, cause harm, or negatively impact the education of the student.

Employees must be given due process. In part, that must include adequate training for the employees. 

The Employee Code of Conduct Handbook for the district will include detailed information of what is deemed as inappropriate conduct. 

Social media content shared by the creator is subject to be seen by its employer. 

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