Missouri bans students from friending teachers on Facebook
81 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Teachers can be friendly with their students, but they can’t be their friends, at least when it comes to social networks such as Facebook. State Governor Jay Nixon has signed [URL="http://www.senate.mo.gov/11info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=4066479"]Senate Bill 54[/URL], which goes into effect on August 28, 2011 in the state of Missouri. In other words, later this month it will be illegal for students and teachers to be friends online, according to [URL="http://articles.kspr.com/2011-07-27/facebook_29822685"]KSPR[/URL].
Senate Bill 54 is dubbed the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act, which aims to fight inappropriate contact between students and teachers, including protecting children from sexual misconduct by their educators. It is named after a Missouri public school student who was repeatedly molested by a teacher several decades ago. The Bill strengthens rules against schools that fail to report sexual abuse of students by employees, but at the same time it also adds other requirements, such as the social networking component.
The new law bans direct social networking contact between teachers and students in the hopes of setting more distinct boundaries on the relationships between the two. Section 162.069 of the bill explains the social networking part in a bit more detail:[/QUOTE]
[release][QUOTE]Teachers cannot establish, maintain, or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child’s legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian. Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.[/QUOTE][/release]
[QUOTE]This implies that teachers will still be able to have a Facebook Page for interacting with students on a slightly more personal level, as long it’s still work-related. It’s the actual friending, messaging, and whatever other direct connection you can make on a social network that will not be allowed.
It’s not clear how Missouri plans to enforce the law, but it’s quite possible social networks will be asked to do a little work themselves. Will the state be allowed access to Facebook accounts, personal computers, or ISP records to see who is friending whom?
Personally, I think it’s a little bit ridiculous as I’ve seen multiple student-teacher friendships work out just fine, even before social networks ever existed. Then again, I don’t live in Missouri.[/QUOTE]
It's a shame if your mother is on your Facebook as well as if she's your teacher. [B]It must be terrorism and a link to Al-Qaeda! [/B]
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More (Huffington Post):
[release][QUOTE]By January 1, 2012, every school district must develop a written policy concerning teacher-student communication and employee-student communications. Each policy must include appropriate oral and nonverbal personal communication, which may be combined with sexual harassment policies, and appropriate use of electronic media as described in the act, including social networking sites. Teachers cannot establish, maintain, or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian. Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student. (Emphasis added)
Although I often recommend that teachers do not friend students who are attending school, I do so as a recommendation. This law attempts to do so as a requirement. And by doing so in this manner, courts are likely to find the law unconstitutional.
The law is likely unconstitutionally vague. A vague law or policy is one that either fails to provide the kind of notice that will enable ordinary people to understand what conduct it prohibits; or authorizes or encourages arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement. Because it is unclear about who constitutes a "student" as well as what constitutes "exclusive access" it will likely be deemed vague by the courts. For example, who counts as a "student'? A student in the teacher's class? In the teacher's school? In the teacher's district? In any school of any time anywhere? The law is extremely vague.
The law is also over-broad. An over-broad law restricts too much speech beyond that which is necessary to achieve its purpose. The purpose of the Amy Hestir Student Protection Act is to prevent school employees from engaging in improper sexual conduct with students, but the ban on website communication is a broad measure that extends far beyond this purpose. Although it may be unwise for teachers to friend students on social media sites, students and teachers have First Amendment free speech and free association rights outside of school.
The law also fails to make any exceptions when teachers and students are related. What if the teacher has a child who attends the teacher's school? Does that mean that a parent can't friend his or her own child on a social media site? What if the teacher is related to the student (an older sister, a grandparent, an uncle, a cousin) and wants to friend the student?
I would be surprised if this law survived a constitutional challenge in court.[/QUOTE][/release]
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Furfag news:
[release][QUOTE]A controversial new law in Missouri designed to protect students from sexual misconduct bans direct contact between educators and students on social networking websites, but has prompted criticism from those who say it goes too far in its effort to clearly define digital boundaries.
Senate Bill 54, also known as the "Amy Hestir Student Protection Act," was signed into law on July 14 by Gov. Jay Nixon.
The law requires state school districts to report allegations of sexual abuse to authorities within 24 hours, and holds those districts liable if they fail to disclose suspected or known abuse by past employees.
It also bans registered sex offenders from serving on local school boards and strengthens criminal background checks on school bus drivers.
But one provision of the bill -- section 160.069 -- also prohibits teachers in elementary, middle or high schools from establishing, maintaining or using a "work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian," effective Jan. 1.
"Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student," the new law reads.
The new law is believed to be the first of its kind nationwide. Other states and school districts have only recently formed guidelines and policies on student-teacher online interaction.
In Massachusetts, some districts have adopted a model by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees that bans "improper fraternization" via Internet and telephone.
Elsewhere, teachers in several districts in Toledo, Ohio, have been told they can communicate with students when it directly relates to school matters. But some teachers say Missouri's approach, although well-intended, is heavy-handed and will ultimately hurt students by restricting access to educators.
"Throwing the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to social networking is bad policy," said Todd Fuller, spokesman for the Missouri State Teachers Association, which represents 44,000 members statewide. "There's so much gray area in this bill that it's difficult for us to define them," Fuller said.
MSTA officials have recently received calls from educators on an "hourly" basis regarding the provision. Some callers have inquired about potential ramifications of the social networking clause, while others are concerned about breaking the new law unwittingly.
"What happens if I use a third-party website to communicate with students?" Fuller said, mimicking an educator. "That's not public. There are lots of elements beyond Facebook that are part of social networking that I don't think this bill takes into account."
State Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, sponsor of the bill, told FoxNews.com that the social networking provision bans solely "exclusive access" between a teacher and a student.
"We are in no way trying to stop communication between educators and students," Cunningham said Monday. "We are allowing school districts to form their own policy with this and to police themselves. The social media aspect comes in because we're finding that it's an early pathway to sexual misconduct."
The bulk of the legislation, which was approved unanimously by the state's Senate on April 7, will take effect on Aug. 28 -- just in time for the new school year.
Districts will have several additional months to implement the social-networking aspect of the new law. "Frankly, a teacher that has nothing to hide will be real pleased by this, because it's going to show their good work," Cunningham said. "A good teacher is going to like this."
Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School in Joplin, Mo., told FoxNews.com he's fearful districts will ban usage of social-networking sites altogether to eradicate any potential gray areas.
"I understand people have concerns about who their children are having as friends on Facebook, but I know many teachers who have used Facebook, and all of them have been professional," Turner said. "We're not getting on there to be pals. It's a professional service."
Turner said he's also worried that the new law removes an important "avenue" for contact between teachers and students -- both during times of emergency and during the everyday grind of homework. "A student having difficulty with a classroom assignment probably won't want to advertise on Facebook that he or she is having a problem with it," he said.
Under the new law, Turner said teachers wouldn't be able to respond directly to seemingly innocuous questions like whether school will be in session tomorrow or to directly disseminate information during times of emergency. Turner said he used Facebook extensively in May following the tornado that killed at least 116 people in Joplin.
In a statement to FoxNews.com, Facebook officials said a growing number of teachers everyday use social networks as a "valuable educational tool" to answer homework questions or to identify bullying. "It is imperative that this law does not limit schools' and teachers' ability to use technology in this way to educate Missouri's students, and we are working with the education and legal communities to investigate," spokesman Tucker Bounds wrote in an email to FoxNews.com.
Meanwhile, Robert Sigrist, assistant principal at Central High School in St. Joseph, Mo., said Cunningham's primary intention with the new law was to ensure that "inappropriate communication" does not take place between teachers and students online.
"This is an evolving thing," he told FoxNews.com. "It still has to be worked out as to what is acceptable. This is new technology, especially for people who don't tweet and aren't on Facebook, so there's always concern for the unknown."[/quote][/release]
Say, slashdot is actually being useful? [B]No way![/B]
[URL="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/missouri-bans-students-and-teachers-from-being-facebook-friends/2260"]Source 1[/URL]
[URL="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-j-solove/missouri-ban-teachers-friending_b_915656.html"]Source 2, Huffington Post[/URL]
[URL="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/02/new-missouri-law-bans-exclusive-online-contact-between-teachers-students/"]Source 3, Furfag News[/URL]
What, why is it named after someone who was molested 'decades ago', I doubt it was over a social networking site if it was 20+ years ago.
At least I don't live in Missouri.
[B]Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.[/B]
why not former students..? if they graduate whats the issue
[QUOTE=Kybalt;31506807][B]Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.[/B]
why not former students..? if they graduate whats the issue[/QUOTE]
[B]TERRORISM.[/B]
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/WWRVK.jpg[/IMG]
[B]And possibly sexual misconduct, baby![/B]
Er.. I don't know if legislating it is a good approach, instead it should be strict policy for teachers not to allow students to become friends on social networks. This feels too much like violating personal rights.
I'm friends with several teachers on facebook. One of them is a gateway to employment opportunities, and the other was just a great teacher.
[QUOTE=Sourcream&onion;31506897]I'm friends with several teachers on facebook. One of them is a gateway to employment opportunities, and the other was just a great teacher.[/QUOTE]
I'm afraid you have no other option but to turn yourself in to the police.
There's no way they should be allowed to enforce this.
This would explain why all my old teachers deleted me.
Hah, I live in Missouri and I've never heard of this, it's usually not as bad as everyone says either but ah well v:v:v
[QUOTE=Soleeedus;31506780][URL="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/02/new-missouri-law-bans-exclusive-online-contact-between-teachers-students/"]Source 3, Furfag News[/URL][/QUOTE]I was extremely confused for a moment, then I moused over to see where the link went to before I clicked that.
[QUOTE=mugofdoom;31506974]This would explain why all my old teachers deleted me.[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://i.cubeupload.com/pPIwPg.jpg[/IMG]
Complimentary foreveralone.jpg
This is already in general child 'protection' laws in the UK. We can't be friends with teachers, but more annoyingly, we can't be friends with over 18s in our squadron. Because under 18s are automatically not interested (in a bad way) in 13 year old cadets.
Those bastards shouldn't be allowed to know when I get drunk and not show up to school the next day from being hungover. Enforce this now!
[QUOTE=iwirthless;31507119]Those bastards shouldn't be allowed to know when I get drunk and not show up to school the next day from being hungover. Enforce this now![/QUOTE]
did you even read the article. or thread title. or anything.
sooooo what're they gonna do when they find out you're on your teachers friends list?
Also facebook is srs bidness.
[editline]3rd August 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=iwirthless;31507119]Those bastards shouldn't be allowed to know when I get drunk and not show up to school the next day from being hungover. Enforce this now![/QUOTE]
Name fits.
I though this was always kind of in place. I know my school enforced it since day one.
I'm still trying to get my old chemistry teachers xbox live tag; she plays a mean game of guitar hero.
Not the past student thing though; that's dumb. My sister is great friends with her old english teacher. Him, my sister, and his wife go to plays a lot.
In the UK they're not allowed.
Don't know why
Here teachers are only allowed to friend past students.
That's dumb. In my AP Government class, we would regularly set up after-school study sessions and used a Facebook group to coordinate when everyone could come and alert everyone to updates and such. And one of my best teachers, who everyone likes, has 1445 friends on Facebook of current and former students. He regularly chimes in on my political debates with my conservative/libertarian friends, and one of our middle school social studies teachers is friends with many of the students as well, I see her posting quite a bit on many peoples' statuses. My old contemporary studies teacher is really involved in twitter and follows a few of my friends.
This would suck. Our teachers like to get involved and keep contact with us during and after school, there's nothing wrong with that. It should be encouraged, not outlawed.
You shouldn't be able to friend your teachers while you attend the school, but after the teacher retires / transfers or you graduate then I don't see a problem. I don't even see why a teacher would want to add their students.
this law is both pointless and unenforceable
Google+ ftw.
Not that dumb. I know that where I live unless you've actually finished school you are unable to pretty much have any social contact with teachers ; unless they are relatives , of course.
This is a huge dick move, whoever pushed for this bill must be a massive asshole. I hope this doesn't spread to other states, at my high school everyone is friends with an awesome math teacher on facebook.
I don't really see the point in having a social relation with a teacher to begin with. It's your teacher, not your best friend.
When I finish college to become a teacher, my Facebook will be made as private as possible and any students sending requests will be blocked. They're my students, not my friends.
Jesus you sound like you would be one of those teachers who just hates people.
[QUOTE=Mikedestruct;31507682]Jesus you sound like you would be one of those teachers who just hates people.[/QUOTE]
No. I just don't see students as people to "mingle and socialize" with. I'm there to educate them, not to be there friends. I have people my age for that.
[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;31507663]I don't really see the point in having a social relation with a teacher to begin with. It's your teacher, not your best friend.
When I finish college to become a teacher, my Facebook will be made as private as possible and any students sending requests will be blocked. They're my students, not my friends.[/QUOTE]
If that's your approach to teaching, maybe you'd be better suited as an accountant.
[QUOTE=Contag;31507730]If that's your approach to teaching, maybe you'd be better suited as an accountant.[/QUOTE]
I'll be friendly. But not friends. I intend to be professional. Outside the classroom, I don't need to be in their business nor do they need to be in my personal business.
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