Week 11 - Ethical & Legal Issues
Choose one 'dilemma' from either reading, and briefly explain what you think needs to be done to address it.
The dilemma of boundary management between teachers and students in the context of social media can be particularly challenging for those transitioning from students to educators. After graduating high school, I was employed as a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) at my former school at the tender age of 18. This unique situation meant I was working alongside students, including those in the year below, many of whom I had previously been friends with on platforms like Facebook and Snapchat.
Initially, it felt natural to maintain these online friendships, given our shared experiences. However, I quickly became aware of the risks associated with such connections. Teachers and support staff can face severe repercussions for online interactions with students, including termination of employment (Buchanan, 2019). Recognising this, I knew I needed to establish clear boundaries to protect my professional integrity.
I decided to limit my online interactions with students to address this issue. I opted not to accept friend requests from current students and openly communicated my professional boundaries with those I knew. Instead of engaging with them on social media, I redirected our interactions to focus more on school-related matters, maintaining a professional demeanour online.
Additionally, I had to restrict face-to-face quality time outside of school hours. While I valued my friendships, I understood that spending time with students outside of school could blur professional lines and raise concerns about favouritism or impropriety. Instead, I prioritised meaningful interactions during school hours, making sure that my support and engagement were rooted in the context of my role as an SLSO.
Through these strategies, I successfully navigated the complexities of digital relationships while upholding the ethical standards expected in my position. By creating clear boundaries, I protected my job and enabled a respectful environment where students felt supported and understood the professional limits that defined our interactions. This experience highlighted the importance of educational institutions implementing comprehensive guidelines that help staff balance their personal and professional lives in an increasingly digital world.
Buchanan, R. (2019). Digital ethical dilemmas in teaching. In Encyclopedia of teacher education (Vol. 1). https://www.academia.edu/40012109/Digital_Ethical_Dilemmas_in_Teaching
Williamson, B. (2017). Big data in education: The digital future of learning, policy, and practice. SAGE Publications.