The Importance of Social-Media Guidelines

"I think that I'm more comfortable with this than I would be if I were a younger teacher, particularly if I knew that there were digital photos out there of my college years, etc.,” he added.

Bultman brings up several interesting points. Are younger teachers — many of whom used Facebook while in college — in a potentially more dangerous situation? Should they be held to a different standard? This is another instance of the importance of a school-imposed policy. While self-imposed policy is better than no policy at all, one that is created and backed by the school administration would have a greater weight should a teacher’s or student’s activities on social networks be called into question. I asked Bultman if Lincoln-Way had a school or district-administered social-media policy: