Social Networking: not for all

I started my research for my Project assignment.  I asked a principal of a primary school about the use of social media at her school and in her library.  She gave some interesting feedback.  She said her school does not use social media and is extremely reluctant to do so.  One major concern for her is that she already spends a lot of her time sorting out disputes and squabbles between parents.  Usually this can be done with a level of privacy and retains the dignity and reputation of all involved, especially when the comments may be made in anger, off the cuff, with humour, or when one party does not have all the information. 

However this level of privacy and protection is removed when a comment is posted to social media.  The comment is out there for all to see and although it can be retracted, the damage may be done.  I personally had issues with a parent that took 6 months to sort through.  I maintained my professionalism and distance.  I dread to think what might have happened had she put comments on a school Facebook page and how much longer the debacle could have gone on for.

Another comment the principal made was the fact social media can be time-consuming.  It demands updating, sometimes daily or even hourly.  She pointed out quite rightly that no-one working in primary school education had the time to sit there and respond to comments, queries or posts.  Plus she was not prepared to ask or pay any of her staff to do so. 

If you get involved in social media in education, you had better be prepared to have the time to dedicate to it, or a very good plan to manage it. 

Hmm, food for thought.