Social Media Policy for Parents & Guardians

• Schools aren’t required by law to have a social media policy. They are required to have policies which may incorporate regulations about the use of social media. However, because of the growing popularity of social media and the corresponding increase in potential issues surrounding its use, Adamas International School has decided to set out guidelines in order to maintain an orderly, respectful and secure educational environment for the students and teachers and supporting team members of Adamas International School. It is essential that all parents and guardians are aware of their responsibilities and adhere to the expected code of conduct as set forth by the school.

Social media policies aren’t legally enforceable, but school can take their own action if a member of staff, parent or pupil breaches its policy. School will also take social media infringements by teachers seriously. If, for example, a teacher is found to have been making inappropriate contact with a pupil on social media, they’re likely to face internal disciplinary action depending upon the nature of offence.

If the parent has a reasonable complaint, this should be addressed through the School Diary which is a usual complaint procedure of the school. If a parent is accused of making malicious comments about the school or a teacher on social media, the school can request to remove the offensive comments. If the parent refuses, the school can escalate the matter by reporting it to the social networking site or the local authority, or can seek legal advice. Comments that are threatening, abusive, racist, may be reported to the police as online harassment. 

Parental requirements often include:

• Not posting anything malicious about the school or any member of the school community.
• Raising queries, concerns and complaints directly with the school rather than posting them on social media – whether on their own page, in closed groups (e.g. groups set up for school parents to communicate with each other) or on the school’s page.
• Not posting photos, videos or comments that include other children at the school.
• Not using social media on their own devices while on school premises.
• Be a positive role model by demonstrating respectful and responsible social behaviours when communicating with and about your child’s school online.
• Avoid posting negative comments that identify your school or individual. If any parent has a concern, rather than go online, speak directly to your child’s Teacher, Principal as the case may be. If after having this conversation one feels that your concerns have not been resolved, you may contact the Fast Track Response Cell who will assist you and the school to find a solution. For more information on raising a concern:

1. Try not to be emotive or hasty.
2. Keep comments calm and polite.
3. Before posting something online about your child’s school ask yourself:
   • Will this information reflect badly on me?
   • Does the school community or individual really need to know this information?
   • Is this information relevant, helpful and positive?
   • Will this information upset or embarrass the school community or an individual?
   • Are we making situation worse?
   • Be aware of what you are sharing and with whom.

4. Remember that the legal implications around sharing personal information applies to images and video presented online.
5. If you upload photos on social media of school events, be aware of who is in the background.
6. If one shares picture of their children publicly through online photo-sharing sites and hashtags, remember that once it is shared, we have no control over how it is used or by whom. To avoid these photos being shared by others or used for purposes without your consent, make sure you set up your account security settings to share images

only with close family and friends.

7. If you encounter inappropriate content online, there are a number of steps you can take:

• Refrain from responding.
• Take a screen capture or print a copy of the concerning online content.
• If you think the content is explicit, pornographic or exploitative of minors, block the offending user.
• If the inappropriate or negative comments are in regards to your child’s school or

members of the school community you should also contact the  Principal of the school and report the content to the social media provider (e.g. Facebook) who can remove content that contravenes their Terms of Use.

The school management has decided to seriously review all online posts including both video and comments by parents and guardian which malign the reputation of the school or its teachers on social media. The school may report serious instances of inappropriate online behaviour which constitute a criminal offence and become a police matter. School staff may obtain personal legal advice if they feel that online content seriously impacts their reputation. The School shall have liberty to take strong disciplinary action against the wrong doer for such post and may also seek legal redressal against any such online post including suspension of parents from entering school compound and /or communicating with any school authorities.