Tipton Green Junior School. Social Media Policy and Digital Photography Policy 2014

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1 Tipton Green Junior School Social Media Policy and Digital Photography Policy 2014

2 Social Media policy and Digital photography policy. Social media and networking sites play an important part in the lives of many young children. At Tipton Green, we recognise that social networking sites bring risks, but equally there are many benefits to be reaped. This policy gives clarity to the way in which social media are to be used by pupils and school staff at Tipton Green Junior School. There are 4 key areas: 1. The use of social networking sites by pupils within the school. 2. Use of social networking by staff in a personal capacity. 3. Comments posted by parents/carers. 4. Dealing with incidents of online bullying. 1. The use of social networking sites by pupils within the school The school makes it clear to pupils what use of social media is allowed. They are told that social network sites should not be accessed or used within the school. Mobile phones are not allowed in school so children can also not access networking sites through these. School also encourages children not to access social networking sites such as Facebook until the appropriate age of 13. Parents are given appropriate information during targeted parents sessions, texts and newsletters. 2.Use of social networking by staff in a personal capacity. It is possible that a high proportion of staff will have their own social networking site accounts. It is important for them to protect their professional reputation by ensuring that they use their personal accounts in an appropriate manner. Guidelines to be used by staff: 1. Staff must never add pupils as friends into their personal accounts. 2. Staff should not post pictures of children in school events without the Headteacher's and parent's consent.

3 3. Staff should not use social networking sites within lesson times. 4. Staff should review and adjust their privacy settings to give them the appropriate level of privacy and confidentiality. 5. Staff must not post negative comments about the school, pupils, parents or colleagues including governors. 6. Staff should be aware that by adding parents to their friend's list, they may also give access to pupils. Inappropriate use by staff should be referred to the Headteacher in the first instance or LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer). 3. Comments posted by parents/carers: Parents and carers should be made aware of their responsibilities regarding their use of social networking. Methods of school communication include the prospectus, the website, newsletters, letters and verbal discussion. 1. Parents should not post pictures of pupils other than their own children on social networking sites unless they have parent's permission. 2. Parents who wish to post pictures of school staff taking during school events, should first ask permission before posting on line. 3. Parents should not post negative comments about the school or individual staff members. Complaints should be made through the official school channels rather than posting them on social networking sites. 4. Parents should refrain from posting malicious or fictitious comments on social networking sites about any member of the school community. 5. Parents should arrange meetings with school staff through the appropriate school channels rather than doing so through social networking sites.

4 4. Dealing with incidents of online bullying: The school's e-safety policy makes clear sanctions regarding bullying using new technologies very clear. Children are taught during e-safety lessons and targeted workshops about cyber bulling and inappropriate use of social media to intimidate and upset others. The school may take action against incidents that happen outside school if it: i. Could have repercussions for the orderly running of the school. ii. Poses a threat to another pupil or member of the public. iii. Could adversely affect the reputation of the school. Use of social networking sites to harass, bully or intimidate would be covered by this irrespective of when/where the post was made. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY : Children have their photographs taken on a yearly basis in school. Parents are allowed to buy these. A copy of a child's photo may also be kept on their file for identification reasons. Photographs will be stored on the school network which is password protected. Staff, visitors, volunteers and students should not use their own mobile phones to take and record images of school children for their own records during the school day, Staff should use the cameras provided by the school. Procedures: i. Under the data protection act of 1998, school must seek parental consent to take photographs and use phones/video recorders to record images. ii. The school's digital cameras should not leave the school setting (unless on an educational visit). Photographs should be printed in the setting by staff and images then removed from the camera's memory.

5 iii. Photographs may be taken during indoor and outdoor play and learning and displayed in school/children's development records for children, parent/carers, governors, OFSTED, LA officers (on the password protected area of the school website) to look through. iv: Often photographs may contain other children in the background. Parents should be aware of this when uploading photographs of their own children on the internet. v: Events such as Sports Day, outings, Christmas and fundraising events may be recorded by video and photographs by staff and parents/carers but always in full view of all attending. Parents must not post photographs or video containing other children on social media websites without the parent's permission. vi: On occasion, the school might like to use photographs of children taking part in an activity to advertise/promote the school via the website etc, however, in this instance, specific parental permission will be required. vii: Many mobile phones have inbuilt cameras so staff mobile phones should not be used to take pictures of children in school. Visitors may only use their phones in the foyer outside the building and should be challenged if seen using a camera inappropriately or photographing children. viii: The use of cameras and mobile phones are prohibited in toilets around the school. ix: All school cameras and videos should be kept securely at all times and used with appropriate authority. J.Wise - October 2014 Review date: October 2016.

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