A Question to Education Professionals working with Students and Social Media (interpretation, history)

[KnightShadow]

Specific regulations as interpreted by the EEOC based on Supreme Court decisions state:

"The following behaviors may contribute to creating a hostile environment if they are unwelcome and based on an individual's race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability; or if they are of a sexual nature.

Specifically:

Transmission of emails, text messages, tweets, blogs or social networking of a sexually graphic, threatening or vulgar nature when related to or accessible by associates."


This question is for any educator involved with students and social media.

What is your interpretation of your role and responsibility for student experiences with social media in unsupervised situations?

My experience is with International Students (majority are 16-17 years of age but up to 21) in an advanced program. Should I obtain legal counsel in regard to a waiver concerning their exposure to social media via websites? What if one student feels offended or harassed at a particular website?

How have other educators handled this gray area? Did you speak with legal counsel in creating a waiver that students can sign, though if the majority of them are minors in gifted programs, such a contract would not have legal standing, would it?

Frankly, should I speak to a personal attorney?

Is this a question of an institution vetting websites?

Apparently if harassment is implied or perceived as directed to them or another student (one does not have to be a member of the site as long as that site is open to being viewed by those under 18 years of age), with the outcome being that they (student[s]) are affected in any of the following ways:

"The costs of harassment: emotional well being.

The emotional effects of harassment can be devastating. Here are some of the feelings suffered by targets of harassment:

• depression, anxiety, shock, denial
• anger, fear, frustration, irritability
• insecurity, embarrassment, feelings of betrayal
• confusion, feelings of powerlessness
• shame, low self-esteem, self-consciousness
• guilt, self-blame, isolation.

The costs of harassment: adverse impact on employees, students and organizations.

Harassment can result in:
• decreased job satisfaction
• unfavorable work or academic evaluations
• loss of job or promotion
• drop in academic or work performance
• absenteeism
• withdrawal from work or school
• change in career or educational goals.
• negative feelings toward the institution"

Quotes from New Media Learning, LLC.

A lawsuit can be brought against the harasser(s), meaning their posting history can/will be reviewed and a case built against the harasser(s).

Any response would be appreciated. Thank You.

[marie5v]

I don't understand your question. Why would you be liable for anything that you did not post yourself or direct your students to?

[KnightShadow]

That is the question. Am I responsible for students experiences (post traumatic stress syndrome having been in war situations) at a site where I am a contributor or was recommended by Me. This is the question.

I might have to speak in detail with a lawyer.

Liable regarding even suggesting viewing on a site that though was labeled PG and of a age of 16 years contained inappropriate material purposefully posted by grown men.

If I had given them a book containing offensive material I would have discussed the issue of censorship and free speech to focus their reading. I did not make any such focus for a website.

Are you a lawyer or an educator marie5v? If an educator, how did you resolve this issue? Otherwise detailing statutes and the plethora of issues regarding social media and minors I'm quickly seeing is a can of worms.

The site in question was a site for minors and adults, meaning 16 years and up. If you are a lawyer I can speak to you privately.