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Social Media

Policy

DOCUMENT DETAILS

Document Owner Office of the Director
Approval Date 20 February 2019
Release Date 02 April 2019
Compliance Date 01 February 2020
Review Date 01 December 2021
Updated NA

introduction and context

INTRODUCTION

Education Policy in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is developed to support the implementation of consistent and comprehensive practices to guide quality Catholic learning and teaching in the systemic schools of the Diocese of Wollongong.

Education Policy is developed within the context of documents and frameworks. These include:

CONTEXT

Social media is used in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) to help create vibrant Catholic school communities of faith and learning. In this context, social media is any form of online presence used in a valid educational context that facilitates inclusive relationships, contemporary communities and multi-directional interactive exchange of information, conversation or activity. Users of social media are required to manage their digital footprint by interacting responsibly and ethically, in line with our Catholic ethos, respecting the dignity of all involved.

This Policy has been developed to support CEDoW, schools and staff to minimise the reputational risk of individuals, schools and/or CEDoW. It also ensures that schools meet their compliance requirements with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Australian Education Act 2013  (Cth).

EXPECTATIONS

It is expected that school staff will take all reasonable measures to comply with this Policy.

The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) Social Media Policy must be implemented in conjunction with the following policies and documents where relevant:

• CEDoW Staff Responsible Technology Use of Technology Policy
• CEDoW Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement
• CEDoW Code of Conduct in the Protection of Children and Young People
• CEDoW Complaints and Grievances Policy and Procedure
• CEDoW Emergencies and Critical Incidents Policy
• CEDoW Enrolment Policy
• CEDoW Knowledge Management Policy
• CEDoW Maintaining Right Relationships
• CEDoW Obligation for Reporting to Police
• CEDoW Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy
• CEDoW Social Media Statement and Standards
• CEDoW Staff Relations Policy
• CEDoW Suspension, Expulsion and Exclusion Policy
• CEDoW Supervision Policy
• CEDoW Work Health and Safety Policy
• Catholic Schools NSW Privacy Compliance Manual

 

1   SOCIAL MEDIA FOR LEARNING AND WELLBEING

sCHOOLS MUST:
 1.1  deliver the CEDoW Digital Citizenship Program  to all students each year
 1.2  ensure all Staff complete the CEDoW Digital Citizenship Program each year
 1.3  provide the CEDoW Social Media Statement  to personnel (including volunteers and contractors) who are engaged to provide services
       
teachers MUST:
 1.4  ensure there is a valid educational context when communicating and sharing content between
  1.4.1

 teachers and students
  1.4.2  teachers and parents/carers
 1.5  address the ICT Learning Across the Curriculum aspect of the syllabus, which includes the use of social media, to ensure skill development and engagement in learning
 1.6  ensure that when social media is used to achieve educational outcomes, no students are disadvantaged when access is unavailable or restricted
       

2   SOCIAL MEDIA AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION IN SCHOOLS

sCHOOLS MUST:
 2.1  ensure that where an official school social media presence is being used for communication, they are established, registered and maintained according to the CEDoW Social Media Administration Procedure
 2.2   ensure each official school social media presence has a link to the CEDoW Social Media Statement
 2.3   obtain consent each year from parents/carers for the use of a student’s image and created works in any media form using the Consent Form for Use of Student’s Image and/or Work
 2.4   address any noncompliance to the CEDoW Social Media Standards:
    2.4.1  by students according to the CEDoW Social Media Standards Noncompliance (Students) Procedure
   2.4.2  by Staff according to the CEDoW Social Media Standards Noncompliance (Staff) Procedure
   2.4.3  by parents/carers according to the CEDoW Social Media Standards Noncompliance (Parents/Carers) Procedure
 2.5  adhere to the CEDoW Notifiable Data Breach Procedure  when a potential notifiable data breach has occurred on any official school social media presence
 2.6  take measures to remove any unofficial school social media presence that is being used for communication on behalf of the school and/or implies an affiliation with CEDoW or any of its school communities
 2.7  report promptly to CEDoW, any content on social media that may negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities
       
STAFF MUST:
 2.8  adhere to the CEDoW Social Media Administration Procedure  to establish, register and maintain each official school social media presence
 2.9  report promptly to the Principal when they are concerned about inappropriate use of, or content on:
   2.9.1  any official school social media presence
   2.9.2  any social media, that may negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities
       

3   STUDENT USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA 

sCHOOLS MUST:
 3.1  maintain a register to demonstrate that each student has engaged in the CEDoW Digital Citizenship Program  each year
 3.2  ensure each student and parent/carer is provided with and signs the CEDoW Student Responsible Use of Technology Agreement  at the commencement of each year
 3.3  ensure there are processes in place for monitoring student interactions on each official school social media presence
 3.4  ensure that each official school social media presence is compliant with the CEDoW Social Media Standards
 3.5  adhere to the CEDoW Social Media Standards Noncompliance (Students) Procedure  when they are concerned about inappropriate use of, or content on:
  3.5.1  any official school social media presence
  3.5.2  any social media, that may negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities
       

4   STAFF USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

sCHOOLS MUST:
 4.1  ensure that each official school social media presence is compliant with the CEDoW Social Media Standards
 4.2   address any noncompliance to the CEDoW Social Media Standards  by Staff according to the CEDoW Social Media Standards Noncompliance (Staff) Procedure
       
STAFF MUST:
 4.3  comply with the CEDoW Social Media Standards  when using social media
 4.4  ensure that students are not included as friends on their personal social media
 4.5   not follow students on social media 
 4.6   ensure they do not interact on personal social media with known current or former students of CEDoW schools for at least five years after the student has completed school, unless there is a valid context or circumstance and that has been approved by the Principal
 4.7   ensure that the necessary privacy settings are in place on their personal social media
 4.8   ensure that DoW email accounts are not used for personal social media
 4.9  ensure personal use of social media does not negatively impact on their ability to meet professional responsibilities and duties and/or negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities
       

5   PARENT AND COMMUNITY USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA 

sCHOOLS MUST:
 5.1  ensure the CEDoW Social Media Statement  is clearly accessible on each official school social media presence
 5.2  provide parents/carers with the CEDoW Social Media Statement  at enrolment and the commencement of each school year
 5.3  advise parents/carers of each official school social media presence approved by the school, to the exclusion of all others
 5.4   advise parents/carers of the expectation to seek permission from the Principal to establish a social media presence that is in any way associated with the school
 5.5   advise parents/carers of the expectation not to post content on social media of other students without the express consent of their parents/carers
 5.6  advise parents/carers of the expectation to promptly notify the school of inappropriate use of, or content on:
   5.6.1  any official school social media presence
   5.6.2

 any social media, that may negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities
 5.7

 adhere to the CEDoW Social Media Standards Noncompliance (Parents/Carers) Procedure  when they are concerned about inappropriate use of, or content on:
   5.7.1  any official school social media presence
   5.7.2  any social media, that may negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities
       

Implementation

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

POLICY RELEASE

  • The Social Media Policy was released on 2 April 2019. The release included:
    • school representatives – the Principal, a parent representatives, a member of the SPB4L Team (primary), the Pastoral Care Coordinator (secondary), the Senior Technology Officer (secondary);
    • the Social Media Policy Project Team members and additional staff who have contributed to the aspects of the Policy development;
    • key CEDoW staff - Leadership Team, Senior Leaders and representative staff from CEDoW service areas;
    • invited guests representing our stakeholders - representatives from the Office of the Bishop, CEnet, CatholicCare, Police Liaison;
    • representatives from Congregational schools.
  • Additional support is available to schools in their ongoing implementation of the Social Media Policy including staff meeting and parent information materials.
  • Ongoing communication of the Social Media Policy is the responsibility of the school Principal or delegate and where appropriate in collaboration with the CEDoW personnel.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

  • Full implementation of all Expectations for Schools and Staff that are outlined in the Social Media Policy is expected by 1 February 2020.
  • Full utilisation of all Procedures specified in the Social Media Policy is expected by 1 February 2020.
  • Any school that determines they are not able to implement all Expectations from 1 February 2020 must contact the Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy.

POLICY MONITORING

  • Schools’ compliance to the Policy expectations occurs through a range of Compliance processes.
  • Additional Compliance processes may be utilised if there are concerns raised about the quality of Social Media practices at the School or Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW).
  • The Social Media Policy is monitored within the context of dynamic educational, social and technological environments. CEDoW Directorate Services has the responsibility for monitoring the policy.
  • Any advice about changes to the Social Media environment legislative or administratively that necessitate a change in the Policy expectations will be presented to the Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy. If relevant the Policy will be amended and appropriate communication to schools will be provided by the Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy. 
  • A formal evaluation process of the Social Media Policy will be conducted in December 2021.

POLICY PUBLICATION

  • The Social Media Policy will be published on the CEDoW website under Education Policy. The Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy is responsible for ensuring the Policy’s version currency and accuracy.
  • Schools should contact the Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy for any clarifications regarding Policy.
  • Schools should contact Directorate Services for support in the implementation of the Policy. Schools will then be directed to the relevant CEO personnel as appropriate to the nature of the support required.

LEGISLATION

Australian Education Act 2013  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2013A00067

Australian Privacy Act 1988  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A03712

Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Breaches) Act 2017  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017A00012

Australian Copyright Act 1968  (Cth)
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C1968A00063

RELATED LINKS

NESA Registration Systems and Member Non-Government Schools (NSW) Manual
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/regulation/school-registration/registration-system-and-member-non-government-schools-manual

NESA Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/teacher-accreditation

ACBC Social Justice Statement 2019-2020 – 'Making it real: genuine human encounter in our digital world'
http://bit.ly/ACBCSocialJusticeStatement2019-2020

NSW Policy Legacy Child Safety Handbook
http://nsw.childsafetyhub.com.au/handbook

Office of the eSafety Commissioner
https://www.esafety.gov.au

eSmart website (Alannah and Madeline Foundation)
https://www.esmart.org.au

ThinkYouKnow Australia
https://www.thinkuknow.org.au

Smartcopying: The Official Guide for Copyright Issues for Australian Schools and TAFE
http://www.smartcopying.edu.au

SUPPORT MATERIALS

School resources

Social Media Policy Self-Assessment

Social Media Policy Powerpoint Presentation for Schools

Pope's Video Message on Social Networks - June 2018 (for inclusion in above powerpoint and/or separate use)

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement 2019-2020 – Making it real: genuine human encounter in our digital world

NSW Department of Education 'Digital Citizenship' Resources

parent resources

Social Media Policy information flyer for parents

The Carly Ryan Foundation 'App Facts for Parents' Factsheets 

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

The eSafety Commissioner's 'Supporting Student Digital Wellbeing' program – This free professional learning program provides evidence-based advice to help teachers integrate online safety into their teaching and wellbeing planning. For more details and to register, click here.

Commonsense Media's Digital Citizenship resources

PROFESSIONAL readings

Digital Citizenship in a Digital World – Technology In Action, Issue 7 (2019)

Days of Significance

Data Privacy Day – 28 January
Safer Internet Day – 5 February
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence – 15 March
Privacy Awareness Week – 15-19 May
Stop Cyberbullying Day – 21 June
World Communications Day – 29 September
Stay Smart Online Week – 7-13 October
World Kindness Day – 13 November
Human Rights Day – 10 December