Social Media Policy

I created my social media policy with the idea that I wanted it to feel approachable, with natural language for students of a high school.  My policy could easily be presented as a poster in a high school library.  I kept it simple and positive.  I also tried to put the onus on the student so that he/she takes ownership of his/her behavior and understand that they are the creators and stewards of their own environment.

BP High School Social Media Policy

Social Media: what are we talking about? We’re talking about Twitter, Facebook, Formspring, Flickr, YouTube, blogging, forums, chat rooms, instant messaging, and any other sort of social networking tool that is accessible by the internet that allows you to interact with other individuals either as yourself,  anonymously, or with a pseudonym.

Why do we care? Because we all like to interact online and we think collaboration and self-expression are good things! We want the internet to be a place where you feel safe, creative, and free to explore your interests.  Because the internet is an unmediated environment, is it of utmost importance that we check our own behavior in order to make sure it remains a safe, respectful, and kind place to visit.

This is what we ask you to expect of yourselves when interacting online:

Be Respectful-

Treat others as you would want to be treated.  The internet is not a place for you to be mean, hurtful, or otherwise rude, even if you are anonymous.

Respect your mind and body.  Think twice about what information you really want to put out into the world.  How you treat yourself says a lot about how you want others to treat you.

Be Transparent-

If you are not willing to take credit for something you have posted, there must be a reason.  Be willing to take ownership of what you put out into the world, and if you are not proud of it, ask yourself why.

Keep certain information to yourself.  Not everybody needs to know everything about you, especially information that might expose you or your family to potential harm, such as phone numbers, home address, social security numbers, ID’s, etc…

Be Kind-

Remember how good it feels to be nice to someone.  The internet is just another place where you should practice this age-old dictum.  Anonymity is not a license to be mean.

Be Smart-

Not everyone lives by the rules in our policy.  Be certain to question people’s identities if they are making you uncomfortable in their interest in you.  If something concerns you, share with someone.  Never agree to meet an online friend privately.

If you feel threatened physically or mentally in any way, you must tell someone.  If that person can’t help you, keep telling until you get the help you need.

Consider yourselves stewards of the internet. Take care to make it a place you want to visit.  Take care to treat it as if you were a grateful guest.  We know you will make it a great place!

Inspirations:

Baldwin-Woodville Social Media and Online Communications Guidelines

http://www.scribd.com/doc/35858003/Social-Media-Policy

Navy Command Social Media Handbook

http://www.slideshare.net/USNavySocialMedia/navy-command-social-media-handbook-web

New Zealand State Services Commission

http://www.e.govt.nz/policy/participation/guide-to-online-participation