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  • Why write an e-safety policy?
  • What is e-safety?
  • How do I use the policy template and online generator?
  • Statement of authority
  • Responsibilities of school staff
  • Routes to e-safety - primary pupils
  • Routes to e-safety – secondary pupils
  • e-Safety for vulnerable children and young people
  • Response to an incident of concern
  • School responsibilities
  • Use of Social Media Tools as a school or establishment
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  • Notes on the legal framework
  • e-Safety Contacts, Resources and References
  • Acknowledgements
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  • Register to use
  • Information on how to get an account
  • Icons and symbols

Use of Social Media Tools as a school or establishment

Social Media tools, such as blogs, Wikis, social networking sites and video sharing sites (such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook etc.) can be fantastic for teaching and learning. These tools can also help to engage with parents/carers and the wider community. However it is essential that their use is carefully considered by a school. Good e-Safety practice must be fully embedded across the establishment (such as whole staff e-Safety training, Social Media ‘training’ for staff and students and parental awareness inputs) before schools can consider using Social Media tools.

The decision on using Social Media tools must be made as a school and should only take place with full support and backing by the Senior Leadership Team. The use of Social Media tools must be fully documented and risk assessed and outlined in the e-Safety Policy. The school will need to be aware of their responsibility to moderating any content and to ensure that the service is kept up to date. The tools must also be used in accordance with the school’s behaviour and complaints policies.

Firstly, it is essential that the correct tool is selected, for example to communicate with parents and carers about school based decisions it might be better to use a blog to enable a discussion rather than a Twitter page. Schools should also – where possible – use tools available on their school website or Learning Platform. Kent Learning Zone for example can offer the use of Blogs, Wikis etc for pupils, staff and parent/carers in a closed but controlled environment.

Crucial to selecting the appropriate Social Media tool is deciding who the target audience is (parents/carers or pupils etc). Schools will need to be aware that not all families will have access to technology at home. To combat this issue some schools have offered open evenings to families or have an internet enabled computer in an accessible location for parents/carers to access after signing an Acceptable Use Policy. It is also important to find out if your audience would like to engage with the school via such media, for example some students may not wish to add their school on a social networking site!

It is important that schools are aware how Social Media sites function and are aware how to make them as safe as possible, such as making profiles “private” or using groups to engage with the community instead of profiles.

When using Social Media with children, schools must be aware of site age restrictions and only use sites that are deemed to be age appropriate and suitable for educational purposes. Such tools will also need to be moderated and regulated frequently as very few social media tools are able to verify and authenticate users appropriately, unless the system is controlled directly by the school or by a subscription service such as Kent Learning Zone, ELGG, Super Clubs, RadioWaves etc. Where possible when using services which the school cannot control (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) then it is recommended that comments etc are approved before they are made live and membership to online groups etc is controlled (e.g. people must request to join a group or follow).

In order to protect staff, professional accounts, pages or profiles must be used when communicating with pupils or the school community. School approved email addresses and contact details should be used and staff should not share any personal contact details or information with pupils or parents/carers.

Useful Tools

Schools can also consult with the e-Safety Officer to discuss ideas and options before using social media tools with students or the community esafetyofficer@kent.gov.uk

 The KSCB document “Safer Use of New Technology” discusses more ideas on how to use technology when working with young people and can be found at www.kenttrustweb.org.uk?esafety

 Childnet have also considered using Social Networking sites to engage with young people and the community and have some useful tools and ideas at www.digizen.org.uk/socialnetworking

 The “Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults who Work with Children and Young People” document updated in January 2009 and produced by the DCFS, also has recommendations for adults using technology to communicate with children and young people http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/_download/?id=5824

Page last updated: 06/05/2010

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