Activity 8: Ethical Dilemma

Social Media Dilemma

In order to explore my ethical dilemma, I will be using Rolfe's reflective model:

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What is the ethical dilemma?

The use of social media has become a part of everyday life. It is very easy for the lines between personal and professional to blur. Many teachers, particularly those that are young or new to the profession, have made the mistake of sharing personal information online. The sharing of personal information complicates the normal boundaries between teachers and students and teachers and colleagues. Online posts and communication can and almost certainly will reach beyond the intended audience and influence the perception of the teacher held by the students and community (Understanding the Code of Professional Responsibility for Educators). 

So what?

Whether we like it or not, as teachers, we are role models (Understanding the Code of Professional Responsibility for Educators). We are held to high standards of behaviour because we have responsibility for the well-being of students. Teachers should understand that their actions, both professionally and personally, can have a profound impact on their professional image. The code of ethics for certified teachers in NZ state that teachers must, "Advance the interests of the teaching profession through responsible, ethical practice." The negative impacts of an inappropriate post online have the potential to effect not only the teacher's credibility but also the public's trust in school and the profession. In the Guidelines on ethical use of social media, it is advised that educators share only what they're comfortable with the whole world seeing.

What next?

According to the code of ethics for certified teachers in NZ, teachers must speak out if the behaviour of a colleague is seriously in breach of the code. Therefore, it is clear that action would have to be taken. The NZ government's guide to the safe and responsible use of digital technologies in schools advise that it is important to focus more on the behaviour involved in an incident, and less on the digital technology. 

If faced with this dilemma, I would begin by approaching my colleague and discussing how her social media activity is inappropriate and that I would be informing the school's management about this breach of the code. I would check that the school had an existing policy on social media or bring it up for review at a staff meeting (Guidelines on ethical use of social media).

In the guide for Understanding the Code of Professional Responsibility for Educators, there are some suggestions for schools that are faced with this dilemma:

• Create PLD activities to explore the benefits and risks of social media for personal and professional use.
• Provide an orientation for all teachers to inform them about the code of ethics for certified teachers. 
• Specifically outline the process for reporting inappropriate behaviour by any adult