Irving ISD supports the use of electronic/social media to facilitate District programs, departments and school sites in ... use and any district-related social media sites. ⢠Internet ... SOCIAL MEDIA | Communications Toolkit | 20. Social Media ...
Social Media Guidelines Electronic/Social Media Guidelines
Irving ISD supports the use of electronic/social media to facilitate District programs, departments and school sites in building a more successful student and employee network and parent community. This document contains Irving Independent School District’s guidelines regarding the use of electronic/social media. Definition of Electronic Media (Policy DH (LOCAL) pg. 1) “Electronic Media” includes all forms of social media, such as text messaging, instant messaging, electronic mail (e-mail), web logs (blogs), electronic forums (chat rooms), video-sharing websites, editorial comments posted on the Internet and social network sites. Electronic media also includes all forms of telecommunications, such as landlines, cell phones and web-based applications.
Things to Know
• Common sense is the best guide to post information in any way relating to Irving ISD. If you are unsure about any particular posting, contact the Irving ISD Office of Communications. • If an Internet posting makes it clear that the author works for Irving ISD, it should include a simple and visible disclaimer such as “these are my personal views and NOT those of Irving ISD.” When posting your point of view, you should neither claim nor imply you are speaking on the district’s behalf, unless you are authorized by district administration. • Personal internet postings should not reveal confidential information about Irving ISD, including but not limited to, aspects of district policy or details of internal district discussions. If in doubt about what might be confidential, contact the Irving ISD Office of Communications. • Employees are encouraged to maintain a clear distinction between their personal social media use and any district-related social media sites. • Internet postings should respect copyright, privacy, fair use personal or financial disclosure and other applicable laws. See Policy CQ (LOCAL) pg. 2. • If a member of the media contacts you about an Internet posting that concerns the business of Irving ISD, please refer that person to the Irving ISD Office of Communications. • If an employee notices a violation of District Policy or these Guidelines, they should report the violation to their immediate supervisor, Human Resources Department or the Office of Communications. • Irving ISD shall not be liable, under any circumstances, for any errors, omissions, loss or damage claimed or incurred due to any Internet postings by an employee. • Each employee is responsible for regularly reviewing the terms of this policy.
Internet Safety
The District has developed an Internet safety plan to: • Control students’ access to inappropriate materials, as well as to materials that are harmful to minors; • Ensure student safety and security when using electronic communications; • Prevent unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities; • Restrict unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personally identifiable information regarding students; • Educate students about cyber bullying awareness and response and about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites, chat rooms and online gaming; and • Comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. SOCIAL MEDIA | Communications Toolkit | 18
Social Media Guidelines Email (See Policy CQ (EXHIBIT) pg. 3)
• Email should be primarily used for educational or administrative purposes. • Email transmissions, stored data, transmitted date or any other use of the District’s computer online services by employees or any other user will not be considered confidential and may be monitored at any time by designated staff to ensure appropriate use. • All email and email contents are property of the District.
Use with Students
• In accordance with administrative regulations, a certified or licensed employee or any other employee designated in writing by the Superintendent or a campus principal, may use electronic media to communicate with currently enrolled students about matters within the scope of the employee’s professional responsibilities. All other employees are prohibited from using electronic media to communicate directly with students who are currents enrolled in the District (Policy DH (LOCAL) pg. 1). • When in doubt about contacting a district student during off-duty hours begin by contacting the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian through their district registered phone number. • Employees should only contact district students for educational purposes and must never disclose confidential information possessed by the employee by virtue of his or her district employment.
Inappropriate Use
• Using resources to engage in conduct that harasses or bullies others. • Sending, posting or possessing materials that are abusive, obscene, pornographic, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation or illegal including cyber bullying and “sexting.” o A school district employee commits a second-degree felony under the Texas Penal Code Section 21.12 if the employee engages in sexual contact with a student who is not their spouse. o Educator’s Code of Ethics Standard 3.9. (See Employee Handbook pg. 43-44) - The educator shall refrain from inappropriate communication with a student or minor, including, but not limited to, electronic communication such as a cell phone, text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, blogging or other social network communication. Factors that may be considered in assessing whether the communication is inappropriate include, but are not limited to: ◦ the nature, purpose, timing and amount of the communication; ◦ the subject matter of the communication; ◦ whether the communication was made openly or the educator attempted to conceal the communication; ◦ whether the communication could be reasonably interpreted as soliciting sexual contact or a romantic relationship; ◦ whether the communication was sexually explicit; and ◦ whether the communication involved discussion(s) of the physical or sexual attractiveness or the sexual history, activities, preferences or fantasies of either the educator or the student. • Using email or websites to engage in or encourage illegal behavior or to threaten school safety. • Using inappropriate language such as swear words, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs and any other inflammatory language. SOCIAL MEDIA | Communications Toolkit | 19
Social Media Guidelines Inappropriate Use Continued
• Posting or transmitting pictures of students without obtaining prior permission from all individuals depicted or from parents of depicted students who are under the age of 18.
Maintenance and Monitoring Responsibilities
• Content owners/site administrators are responsible for monitoring and maintaining official presence on district-related social media sites. • Please note that for emergency purposes only, each district-affiliated site or social media account must name the district’s Office of Communication as an administrator. • Content must conform to all applicable state and federal laws, as well as district and board policies and administrative procedures. • Content must be kept current and accurate. • Content must not violate copyright or intellectual property laws and the content owner must secure the expressed consent of all involved parties. • All postings and comments by users must be monitored and responded to as necessary on a regular basis.
Reporting Violations
• You must immediately report any known violation of the district’s policies, Internet safety plan or inappropriate use guidelines to your immediate supervisor, Human Resources department or Office of Communications. • Employees may be disciplined for online conduct and/or speech which the District reasonably believes will cause actual, material disruption to school activities.
Etiquette (See Policy CQ (EXHIBIT) pg. 3)
• Be polite. • Use appropriate language. • Do not reveal personal data (home address, phone number or information of other people) • Remember that the other users of the District’s online services and other networks are human beings whose culture, language and humor have different points of reference from your own.
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