New stupid MO law

[caseagainstfaith]

If you’re a student living in Missouri, you’d better not be Facebook friends with any of your teachers – because that will soon be against the law.

According to Missouri Senate Bill 54 that goes into effect on August 28, any social networking — not just Facebook — is prohibited between teachers and students. It’s all part of an effort to “more clearly define teacher-student boundaries.” However, KSPR reports that It’s only direct social media contact that’s prohibited; teachers are allowed to create Facebook Pages where all students have direct access to the teacher in a more public setting.

Inappropriate sex between students and teachers is at the root of the legislation. Senate Bill 54 is designed to protect children from sexual misconduct by teachers, compelling school districts to adopt written policies between teachers and students on electronic media, social networking and other forms of communication.

Sourece - mashable.com/2011/07/30/student-teacher-facebook/

I doubt this will be enforceable unless the profiles become public and scanned for teacher/students friending each other on social networking sites.

[Mlle Antéchrist]

I've never really understood why people friend their teacher on facebook, but it's definitely a bit stupid to ban it.

[caseagainstfaith]

Jul 30, 2011 14:09:57 GMT -5 Mlle Antéchrist said:

I've never really understood why people friend their teacher on facebook, but it's definitely a bit stupid to ban it.

what if say I was sick for a couple days and needed to find a way to get that days lessons, whats easier than asking the teacher when they pop on facebook or other social networking site.

[Mlle Antéchrist]

I suppose, but given that so many people discuss... not-so-school-friendly activities on FB, it always seemed like a recipe for disaster to me. Though, if someone is dumb enough to friend their teacher and then post an update about skipping school, they kind of deserve to get caught.

Using a public page to communicate with the kids is a fairly good idea, but I really don't see how preventing them from friending the kids is going to limit teacher/student sexual encounters, being that there are plenty of other ways for them to get in contact. Plus, there are cases where a student draws support from a teacher in his or her private life, if he or she is dealing with issues at home.

[cestlefun17]

It may be going a bit overboard to legislate this, but I don't take any issue with it and I wouldn't call it stupid. I don't see why school districts don't make it their policy to begin with.

It is not professional for teachers to accept their students' friend requests on Facebook until they have graduated.

[discoberry]

Jul 30, 2011 14:11:14 GMT -5 caseagainstfaith said:

Jul 30, 2011 14:09:57 GMT -5 Mlle Antéchrist said:

I've never really understood why people friend their teacher on facebook, but it's definitely a bit stupid to ban it.

what if say I was sick for a couple days and needed to find a way to get that days lessons, whats easier than asking the teacher when they pop on facebook or other social networking site.

Or when you're skipping class and posting on your wall about how bored you are...and then they see it

[SimSim]

Jul 30, 2011 14:11:14 GMT -5 caseagainstfaith said:

Jul 30, 2011 14:09:57 GMT -5 Mlle Antéchrist said:

I've never really understood why people friend their teacher on facebook, but it's definitely a bit stupid to ban it.

what if say I was sick for a couple days and needed to find a way to get that days lessons, whats easier than asking the teacher when they pop on facebook or other social networking site.

Email?

[ironbite]

Hey look...more legislating the bedroom.

Ironbite-so much fail.

[cestlefun17]

Hey look...more legislating the bedroom.

We're talking about teachers and students here, not regular adults. There is nothing wrong with the legislation, provided that the penalties are not too harsh (warning for the first time, evaluation in any future instances) and only apply to the teacher for accepting the friend request.

[TWoozl]

I would almost imagine this is unconstitutional or at least gray-area unlawful on some level. The bits about free association and all that.

[cestlefun17]

I would almost imagine this is unconstitutional or at least gray-area unlawful on some level. The bits about free association and all that.

There are such things as professional standards of conduct. This shouldn't even have to be legislated: it should already be a part of every district's policy.

Teachers are not supposed to be the students' "pals." The teacher-student relationship is one of educator and mentor, not "best buddy." It is completely inappropriate to be Facebook friends with a student (or even a former student if s/he hasn't graduated yet).

[ironbite]

Jul 30, 2011 17:08:08 GMT -5 cestlefun17 said:

Hey look...more legislating the bedroom.

We're talking about teachers and students here, not regular adults. There is nothing wrong with the legislation, provided that the penalties are not too harsh (warning for the first time, evaluation in any future instances) and only apply to the teacher for accepting the friend request.

Oh you're serious? Let me laugh harder.

Ironbite-you really have a bug for this type of crap don't you?

[cestlefun17]

I don't understand. You think it's professional for teachers to be Facebook-friends with their students?

[ironbite]

What two consenting adults do in the bedroom is none of my business nor should it be on anyone's agenda.

Ironbite-or did you miss what the root of this piece of fail really is?

[cestlefun17]

What two consenting adults do in the bedroom is none of my business nor should it be on anyone's agenda.

Well considering that most students are under 18, most instances will not be between consenting adults.

And regardless if a student is 18, there is still such a thing as professional standards of conduct, just like the military or any business or organization has, where relationships between superiors and inferiors is either forbidden or highly regulated. This is no different.