Date Accepted by Governors: Spring 2021

Review date: Spring 2024

Technology and Social Media are a fundamental part of 21st Century life. They are encompassed in one of our three aims: “The development of effective communications and language skills so that children can be confident and powerful communicators.”

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The school has an established culture that promotes and enhances the positive mental health of the whole school community, recognising that healthy relationships underpin positive mental health and have a significant impact on learning, health and wellbeing. We champion the expectation that ‘mental health is the individual’s responsibility supported by the whole school community.’

SOCIAL MEDIA DEFINITION

Social media technologies take on many different forms including, but not limited to magazines, internet

forums (message boards), weblogs (blogs), microblogging (Twitter), social networks (e.g. Facebook etc.), chat rooms, podcasts, photographs or pictures, video and virtual game worlds (e.g. Moshi Monsters, Club Penguin, etc.).

1. WEBSITES AND BLOGS

The following guidelines apply:

• Children, staff, governors, parents and carers must not disclose any information that is confidential to the school or any third party.
• Children, staff, governors, parents and carers should not link any personal websites, social networking sites etc. to the school’s website.
• Staff, governors, parents and carers must not use the school website, internet systems, e-mail addresses or intranet for their personal use in employer time.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

When placing information on social networking sites, staff, governors, parents and carers must follow these guidelines:

• Do not include any information that breaches copyright.
• Do not defame (libel) anyone. A member of staff, governor, parent or carer who makes a defamatory statement that is published on the internet may be legally liable for any damage to the reputation of the individual concerned.
• Include personal information about an individual without his/her consent, otherwise they risk breaching the Data Protection Act 1998, which is a criminal offence.
• Include material that is abusive, defamatory, discriminatory or that could be interpreted as harassment or bullying

2. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

The school respects staff, parents/carers and governors right to a private life. However, the school must also ensure that confidentiality and its reputation are protected. Therefore, the Head Teacher, staff and governors expect all staff, governors, parents and carers to:

• Ensure that they do not conduct themselves in a way that is detrimental to the school.
• Demonstrate courtesy and respect for all when comments are placed on social media, always using appropriate language.
• Staff should not accept friend requests from pupils under any circumstances.
• Caution must be exercised when accepting parental friend requests as this could pose a risk of exposure.
• Staff, parents or governors should not use Social Media as a vehicle for day to day communications about the school regarding confidential or potentially sensitive matters.

If there is a problem, we will:

• Meet with staff, governors, parents or carers and follow school policy to try and resolve. (See also Complaints and Whistleblowing policies).

3. CYBER BULLYING

Ash Grange Primary School is committed to ensuring that all of its staff, governors, and parents/carers and pupils are treated with dignity and respect. Bullying and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Cyber-bullying methods could include text messages, emails, phone calls, instant messenger services, circulating photos or video clips or by posting comments on web sites, blogs or in chat rooms. Children, staff, governors, parents and carers who cyber-bully could also face criminal prosecution under various laws, including the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

If necessary, action will be taken against any member of staff, governor, parent or carer who is found to have breached this Policy. Refer to the Disciplinary Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing and Complaints.

• See also Equality Statement, Staff Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing, Complaints and Safeguarding Policies.