E-SAFETY – Social Media

LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CHILDREN AND

GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND OTHER

Introduction

The aim of this document is to provide advice and guidance for those working with children and young
people in educational settings (including volunteers) regarding the use of Social Networking Sites.

The document has been produced for Governing Bodies and Headteachers of all Schools in Lancashire and
for Senior Managers and Management Committees within the County Council's centrally managed
teaching services. The document has been the subject of consultation with the recognised Professional
Associations and Trade Unions.

Background

The use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MySpace is rapidly becoming the primary
form of communication between friends and family. In addition there are many other sites which allow
people to publish their own pictures, text and videos such as YouTube and blogging sites.

It would not be reasonable to expect or instruct employees not to use these sites which, if used with
caution, should have no impact whatsoever on their role in school. Indeed, appropriate use of some
sites may also have professional benefits.

It is naïve and outdated however to believe that use of such sites provides a completely private
platform for personal communications. Even when utilised sensibly and with caution employees are
vulnerable to their personal details being
exposed to a wider audience than they might otherwise have intended. One example of this is when
photographs and comments are published by others without the employees consent or knowledge which
may portray the employee in a manner
which is not conducive to their role in school.

Difficulties arise when staff utilise these sites and they do not have the knowledge or skills to ensure
adequate security and privacy settings. In addition there are some cases when employees deliberately use
these sites to communicate with and/or form inappropriate relationships with children and young people.
 Specific Guidance

Employees who choose to make use of social networking site/media should be advised as follows:-

• That they familiarise themselves with the sites 'privacy settings' in order to ensure that
information is not automatically shared with a wider audience than intended;
• That they do not conduct or portray themselves in a manner which may:-
 bring the school into disrepute;
 lead to valid parental complaints;
 be deemed as derogatory towards the school and/or it's employees;
 be deemed as derogatory towards pupils and/or parents and carers;
 bring into question their appropriateness to work with children and young people

• That they do not form on-line 'friendships' or enter into communication with *parents/carers and
pupils as this could lead to professional relationships being compromised.
• On-line friendships and communication with former pupils should be strongly discouraged
particularly if the pupils are under the age of 18 years.

(*In some cases employees in schools/services are related to parents/carers and/or pupils or may have
formed on-line friendships with them prior to them becoming parents/carers and/or pupils of the
school/service. In these cases employees should be advised that the nature of such relationships has
changed and that they need to be aware of the risks of continuing with this method of contact. They
should be advised that such contact is contradictory to the Specific Guidance points above)

Safeguarding Issues

Communicating with both current and former pupils via social networking sites or via other non-school
related mechanisms such as personal e-mails and text messaging can lead to employees being vulnerable
to serious allegations concerning the safeguarding of children and young people.

The Department for Education document 'Guidance for Safer Working Practices for Adults Working with
Children and Young people in Educational Settings (March 2009) states:-

In order to make best use of the many educational and social This means that schools/services should:
benefits of new technologies, pupils need opportunities to use ‐ have in place an Acceptable Use
and explore the digital world, using multiple devices from policy (AUP)
multiple locations. It is now recognised that that e-safety risks ‐ continually self‐review e-safety policies
are posed more by behaviours and values than the technology in the light of new and emerging
technologies
itself. Adults working in this area must therefore ensure that they
‐ have a communication policy which
establish safe and responsible online behaviours. This means
specifies acceptable and
working to local and national guidelines on acceptable user
permissible modes of communication
policies. These detail the way in which new and emerging
technologies may and may not be used and identify the
sanctions for misuse. Learning Platforms are now widely
established and clear agreement by all parties about acceptable
and responsible use is essential.

Communication between pupils and adults, by whatever method, This means that adults should:
should take place within clear and explicit professional boundaries.
‐ ensure that personal social networking
This includes the wider use of technology such as mobile phones
sites are set at private
text messaging, e‐mails, digital cameras, videos, web‐cams,
websites and blogs. Adults should not share any personal and pupils are never listed as
information with a child or young person. They should not request, approved contacts
or respond to, any personal information from the child/young ‐ never use or access social
person, other than that which might be appropriate as part of their networking sites of pupils.
professional role. Adults should ensure that all communications ‐ not give their personal contact details
are transparent and open to scrutiny. to pupils, including their mobile
telephone number
‐ only use equipment e.g. mobile phones,
Adults should also be circumspect in their communications with provided by school/service to communicate
children so as to avoid any possible misinterpretation of their with children,
motives or any behaviour which could be construed as grooming. making sure that parents have given
They should not give their personal contact details permission for this form of
to pupils including e‐mail, home or mobile telephone numbers, communication to be used
unless the need to do so is agreed with senior management ‐ only make contact with children for
and parents/carers. E‐mail or text communications between an professional reasons and in accordance with
adult and a child young person outside agreed protocols may any school/service policy
lead to disciplinary and/or criminal investigations. This also ‐ recognise that text messaging
should
includes communications through internet based web sites.
only be used as part of an agreed protocol
and when other forms of
Internal e‐mail systems should only be used in accordance with communication are not possible not use
the school/service’s policy. internet or web‐based communication
channels to send personal messages to a
Further information can be obtained from child/young person
http://www.education.gov.uk

Recommendations

(i) That this document is shared with all staff who come into contact with children and young
people, that it is retained in Staff Handbooks and that it is specifically referred to when inducting
new members of staff into your school/service.
(ii) That appropriate links are made to this document with your school/services
Acceptable Use Policy
(iii) That employees are encouraged to consider any guidance issued by their professional
association/trade union concerning the use of social networking sites
(iv) That employees are informed that disciplinary action may be taken in relation to those
members of staff who choose not to follow the Specific Guidance outlined above.