ICT - Appropriate Use of social Networking

APPROPRIATE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING PLATFORMS DRAFT POLICY / CONSULTATION DOCUMENT Rationale: This policy is designed to offer guidance and to protect staff and students when using Social Networking platforms and Web 2.0 technologies.

1.1 Staff must not add current students to their online social networks, other than systems set up by St Paul’s High School for teaching and learning with built-in user authentication and archiving.

1.2 Staff must not accept invitations from students to join a student’s social network. Students who make such invitations should be spoken to by pastoral staff about the inappropriateness of such practices.

1.3 Staff should exercise caution towards adding students who have recently left the school as they may provide an indirect link to current students.

2.1 St Paul’s High School will block access to social network sites in school for student use. Staff use of social network sites (i.e. school website comments facility, Twitter) must not contravene the school’s Acceptable Use of the Internet Policy, which stipulates that tools are to be used for professional purposes in school time.

2.2 Inappropriate content, or material that is unprofessional or contains content which is defamatory towards the school or any of its stakeholders is a disciplinary matter.

3.1 St Paul’s High School will publish an e-safety guide for students when using social networking sites. This will be integrated formally into ICT and Personal Development curriculum, as well as informally, where teachers will reference social networking sites and their benefits and dangers during normal lessons.

3.2 Awareness of the school’s e-safety strategy will be part of Induction and Early Professional Development, as well as other CPD opportunities during the school year.

3.3 St Paul’s High School will endeavour to advise parents on managing their child’s internet use at home.

3.4 Staff will be encouraged to personally engage with social networking technology, to allow for a better understanding of the landscape, and to facilitate professional benefits in terms of collaboration and revolutionising learning.

It is antipated that a final policy will be submitted to SMT and Board of Governors by end of September. Please contact Dáithí Murray if you have any comments or additions to this document.