Social Media

Beach District Social Media Position Statement

Social Media has become engrained in today’s society. The wide variety of social networking tools 

presently available provides students easy access to share important news and events with each 

other. Social media technologies such as Twitter, Facebook, Internet forums, weblogs, social blogs, 

micro blogging, Wikis, podcasts, photographs, video rating, social bookmarking, and others have 

many benefits in our world; however, they can also be disruptive when inappropriate social media 

postings occur. Using these communication tools in an inappropriate manner can have negative 

consequences, especially if unkind words or threats are used with intent to hurt others. 

The Beach District Principals’ Association recognizes and supports its student-athletes’ and coaches’ 

rights to freedom of speech, expression, and association, including the use of social networks. In this 

context, each student-athlete and coach must remember that participating and competing for the

Beach District is a privilege, not a right. The student-athlete and coach represent his or her high 

school and the Beach District, and therefore, they are expected to portray themselves, their team, 

and their high school in a positive manner at all times. Any online postings must be consistent with 

federal and state laws, as well as team, school, school division and Beach District rules and 

regulations (including those listed below). 

Specifically prohibited behaviors include but are not limited to:

- Sexually explicit, profane, lewd, indecent, illegal, or defamatory language/actions.

- Derogatory language regarding school personnel or other students.

- Comments designed to harass or bully students and/or school personnel.

- Nude, sexually-oriented, or indecent photos, images or altered pictures.  Also prohibited are all on-campus connections to off-campus violations of the policy.

- Use of school computers to view off-campus postings.

- Students accessing posts at school on their own devices.

- Distribution of hard copies of posts on school property.

- Re-communication on campus of the content of the posts.

Any authorized or unauthorized use in school or out of school of computer software, 

computer networks, telecommunications devices, information technology, and related 

technologies, which disrupts or interferes with the educational process in any manner is 

prohibited and may result in removal from the team or activity and a recommendation for 

expulsion.

Virginia Code Ann. Sec. 18.2-60 states that any person who knowingly communicates in writing, including an 

electronically transmitted communication, a threat to kill or do bodily injury to a person or a member of his/her family is 

guilty of a Class 6 felony. Further, any person who communicates, in writing, including an electronically transmitted 

communication, a threat to kill or do bodily harm to another person on school grounds or premises, on a school bus or at 

a school sponsored event is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Virginia Code Ann. Sec. 18.2-152.7 states that "A person is guilty of a crime of personal trespass by computer when he 

uses a computer or computer network to cause physical injury to an individual."

Virginia Code Ann. Sec. 18.2-152.7:1 states that "If any person, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass any 

person, shall use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious, or indecent 

language, or make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature, or threaten any illegal or immoral act, he shall be 

guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor." 

[S.B. Policies 6-62 and 6-64] [S.B. Regulations 6-62.1 and 6-64.1] [Virginia Code Ann. Secs. 18.2-152.7; 18.2-

152.7:1.] [Virginia Code Ann. Sec. 18.2-60]

Information contained in this document:

• Lee E. Green, J.D. – Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas.

• Virginia Beach City Public Schools – Code of Student Conduct – Social Networking

http://www.vbschools.com/students/conduct/code.asp

• St. Thomas Aquinas High School – Social Networking and Athletes –

www.stalux.org/podium/default.aspx?t=141671

St. Thomas Aquinas High School - 197 Dover Point Rd, Dover, NH 03820 - Phone: 603-742-3206 - Fax: 603-749-7822

(Adopted 8-14-2012 by the Beach District Principal’s Association)