HAMPTON-- Teachers will have to watch what they post on Facebook.
Hampton City Schools is making a new social media policy, which states "because employees have the unique responsibility within the community to serve as role models, leaders and caretakers for the division's students."
Under the proposed rules, teachers can’t post pictures of other teachers or students without their permission. If they use twitter, they have to be careful about what they tweet about Hampton schools. Teachers who post harassing comments could be sued. Also, If school employees use social media during work hours, they could be fired.
However, the guidelines still allow teachers to post class assignments and start online discussions. They have to register the site with the school’s technology department for monitoring.
Last year, the Virginia Department of Education recommended banning teachers from Facebook, but then decided each local school district should make its own policies.
The regulations come because the Internet is allowing teachers to get closer with students, and sometimes the conversations go too far.
During the past ten years, 130 teachers in the Commonwealth have lost their licenses for getting into inappropriate relationships with children.
The Hampton School Board still has to vote on its new social media policy.
