Like many, I grew up with the warning that “the internet is forever.” This ingrained caution led me to limit my social media presence. I’ve always kept my accounts private, only accepting connections with people I know personally. I avoid engaging with online acquaintances and have even blocked individuals due to heated discussions on political or societal issues. At one point, I had to warn my own father about his online comments, explaining that his posts could reflect poorly on me as an educator. Once he understood the potential implications, he became more mindful of what he shared. This experience reinforced my belief in being cautious about online interactions, especially as a professional.
During my Bachelor of Education program, the message was clear: social media was a potential minefield for teachers. We were warned that anything we posted online could follow us forever, impacting our professional lives. We all left a digital footprint that could not be deleted. This mindset led many educators, like myself, to avoid social media entirely, fearing that even an innocuous post could have unintended consequences.
Navigating social media as an educator can be a delicate balancing act. While platforms offer valuable opportunities for connection and professional growth, they also come with risks, especially when trying to maintain a professional reputation. How can educators effectively engage online while upholding their credibility and setting appropriate boundaries?
However, perspectives on educators and social media have shifted. Research, such as the article Twitter Use and its Effect on Student Perception of Instructor Credibility (DeGroot et al., 2015), highlights the potential benefits of educators engaging online. The study found that when professors used Twitter as an educational tool, students viewed them as more credible and accessible. Conversely, when instructors shared personal content, students engaged less and viewed them as less credible. This presents an ongoing question: How can educators leverage social media effectively while maintaining their professional identity?
Educators today face a double-edged sword when it comes to social media. On one hand, people are held accountable for what they say online, which can be a positive force for responsibility. On the other, there’s a risk of professional consequences for personal opinions or actions that don’t align with an employer’s values.
This raises several important considerations:
- Should educators separate their personal and professional social media accounts?
- If they engage online, what guidelines should they follow to maintain credibility?
- How can social media be used as an effective teaching tool while upholding professional boundaries?
Many educators choose to create separate accounts for professional engagement, using them to connect with colleagues, share resources, and participate in discussions. Some teachers even allow students to follow them on social media after they graduate, ensuring that professional boundaries remain intact during their teaching relationship. Personally, I prefer keeping a clear boundary between my personal and professional life. I have a dedicated teacher email for educational resources, and I would likely follow a similar approach if I decided to explore social media for professional networking.
Research supports the idea that when used intentionally, social media can enhance an educator’s credibility. The study by DeGroot et al. (2015) suggests that students perceive instructors more positively when they use Twitter for educational purposes. This indicates that digital engagement, when done thoughtfully, can foster a stronger connection with students. If I were teaching in a fully online setting, I would likely see social media as an essential tool for building community. However, as an in-person teacher, I prioritize real-life interactions to cultivate a sense of connection with my students.
Social media is a powerful tool for educators, but the fear of its permanence shouldn’t prevent meaningful engagement. The key is to be intentional—participating in ways that support students, colleagues, and professional growth without compromising personal or professional integrity. Instead of avoiding social media altogether, educators can shape their digital presence with purpose, ensuring that their engagement aligns with their values and professional responsibilities. By doing so, we can harness the benefits of online connection while maintaining the credibility and authenticity that define our role as educators.
February 3, 2025 at 10:41 pm
Wow Ashley, your post is so thoughtful and brings up important questions and considerations.
It is interesting as I shared many of the same feelings regarding professional boundaries and social media and balancing that double image that we must hold. However, in university I took a class that focused on Social Media and Personalized Learning, this was centered around Twitter at the time and create a really cool community of educators that I had yet to communicate with until that time. It was honestly a life changing experience as I saw a community come together with people I had yet to meet in person. Sharing ideas, theories, quotes, videos etc around similar themes in Education. This leads me to discuss a recent novel I have started for my final Masters project which is called a Communities of Practice by Etienne Wagner.
This reinforces that idea of identity and creating a community of sharing that share similar passions and interests.Without going to much into depth of the book. Which, I think is similar to what students want from us and that is why when they know we have social media accounts they see acceptance and a personal connection.
To answer some of your considerations, here are my personal thoughts.
Should educators separate their personal and professional social media accounts?
– I personally believe that personal and professional accounts should be separate just because you don’t want your friends or like in your case family (your dad who respectfully understood your case) to post anything and associate you accidentally. As such my professional accounts are all private such as my teaching instagram, which is where I follow all the teaching accounts ect.
How can social media be used as an effective teaching tool while upholding professional boundaries?
– Twitter (past) and Linkedin were designed to be meant for more professional networks and connections.
– Facebook is more of a personal account
– Snapchat, WhatsApp are only personal
-Instagram can be both and I have 2 accounts for that reason.
– I think with the right privacy TikTok could be both as well. I do not have it anymore for privacy reasons though.
– I am excited to explore Blue Sky more.
These are just my personal experiences and thoughts with social media.
Ultimately anyone can always search you and you are upheld to a certain standard as a teacher like you said. As such, I personally have no issues with my posts and always do posts with that context in mind (if a student or parent or collegue saw this what would they say). With this in mind, I carefully consider posts but I also have a nickname on certain sites, whereas my professional accounts are searchable by my teaching name.
February 12, 2025 at 8:42 pm
Thank you for this excellent piece on the pitfalls of social media for professionals, especially teachers, Ashley. I, too, struggle with social media to the point that I don’t have my real name on my account. I also have my account locked down. I worry, too, because I have many friends with different viewpoints. I often wonder if that will reflect poorly on me. When you mentioned, “there’s a risk of professional consequences for personal opinions or actions that don’t align with an employer’s values.” I understand what you are saying here. I find it frustrating that professionals must be concerned about having an opinion that the employer may disagree with. We should be able to express our opinions within reason without fear of reprisal.