Should schooldistricts have social media policies that restrict teachers from interacting w/current students?

[Ruby]

[eastacademic]

No.

Always think ideas through. Why institute a policy that would prevent teachers using twitter to send out homework updates. Or prevent use of web notifications. Some would read that to prevent all emails.

Policies shouldnt limit education.

[NYLV]

There is no blanket answer for this question. If you read http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...38AAhOsOo, you will see why many districts already ban teachers from using Facebook with their students. However, those same districts allow email, instant messenger, twitter and blogs IF all interaction is appropriate and related to the course content. It is pretty spelled out in the acceptable use agreement. Also, the new core requires some forms of social media, I think the key here us to make sure that all contact with students is professional.

[LIGHT BRINGER!]

Hi Ruby! You probably know I stand on the no side, however I do find myself all for punishment of those teachers, and students too in some cases, who act irresponsibly in this time of rapid information exchange. We now live in an age in which one nearly cannot thrive without some exposure to hyper-paced interaction and exchange of persona and the ideas we love to share. Social media dominates the how of eduction now more than ever! I think restrictions on interaction seem insane, as to be deprived of fast interaction most definitely would put one at a horrible disadvantage; one unfortunate soul constricted through deprivation might easily find it next to impossible to compete against another person who was not so restricted.

One cannot stop the flow of information; that seems foolish. According to Milton, Lucifer created a not so perfect place to be, primarily by way of restricting information. God opposed this, as His fallen Super Angel inadvertently created the perfect Hell. Perhaps Milton had a point based on some awesome gift of prescient foresight about what was to come. And perhaps, such a time has come to nearly all of us presently!
Policies that restrict anyone from the freedom of information dissemination speak to the very control that Satan wished for. Other mythology sources speak to God's ultimate judgment of the Devil -- to burn forever with his followers in the lowest depths of Hell; this place often gets a name: the Lake of Fire. Now, such things seem ridiculous if they are taken literally. However, I do believe that abutting the flow of information in any way, robs America and her inhabitants of one of the most basic freedoms: liberty.

Policies that restrict interaction and exchange of ideas strike me as wrong. Just and fair Laws that hold those who abuse interaction and exchange seem a must, if only such laws could not be abused themselves. But the abuse of such laws and policies as an issue, Ruby, seems to belong in another answer to another question.

Should school districts have social media policies that restrict teachers from interacting with current students? In a perfect world, my answer stands as NO!
I listened to a song by Rush many times, called "Free Will," and this answer flowed forth. Getty Lee sings about a choice that's clear: "I will choose free will!" Then I think of another song by John Cougar Mellencamp, "The Authority Song." His message sings to the idea that one must accept that authority is a force not to be challenged -- or else! So the idea of rightful punishment for abuse also flowed into what I wrote here.
Great Question Ruby! Merry Holidays and God bless you!