How to Create Social Media Guidelines for Your School – Research Phase

Produced in collaboration with Facebook.

3. Research Phase

Your team should begin by evaluating the current policies that are already in place in your school or district. Many districts already have policies in place that cover the acceptable use basics -- so they only need to add guidelines to help crystallize learning opportunities. Because the social media landscape changes quickly, this is often the best approach.

Next, the team will want to examine the social media policies and/or guidelines from other institutions. You will want to involve your school attorney in the draft process to make sure that you are within your current local and state policies.

• Which policies or guidelines would make sense for you to adapt?
• How should you use the feedbac from your community to shape your decision making?

Resources

• Acceptable Use Policies in the Web 2.0 and Mobile Era (CoSN): This document explains how schools can keep students safe.
• Social Media Best Practices (Tufts University): This document shows how higher education institutions support the use of social media.
• Pottsville Area School District Social Media Policy -- PDF Download: This is an example of a stricter school district policy.
• Policy #470: Employee Use of Social Media -- PDF Download (Minnetonka Public Schools): Here is an example of an official school district social media policy.
• Best Practices for Social Media Usage in North Carolina -- PDF Download (NC Office of Governor): These guidelines describe how government agencies should use social media.
• Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Social Media Best Practices (Web 2.0 Classroom): Sample guidelines for the promotion and use of social media products by students and staff.
• Online Database of Social Media Policies (Social Media Governance): Preview social media policies from various industries. Be sure to check "General Guidelines and Templates" for some useful downloads.