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Learning Task Two Group Essay-Ethics on Social Media Postings

Diana Bohutska, Samia Fakih, Megan Meshi & Tristan Seguin

EDUC 525 L01 Ethics and Law in Education

Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary

Rhiannon Jones

October 29, 2021

Introduction

Social media has served as a form of reducing individual privacy, regardless of whether

an account is public or not. With the use of screenshares, screenshots, and mutual followers,

opinions made on one’s personal social media account seldom remain private. Although social

media provides an outlet for many to voice their views and opinions to those they’re connected

to, it can also implicate those that post photos or messages that some may find offensive. Each

person has the right to their views, opinions, and speech. However, within the education system,

teachers are expected to remain neutral and present themselves as a positive role model to

students. By posting something that would negatively affect the school community’s perception

of them, offend others, or interfere with their ability to present themselves as a role model to

students, their jobs could be implicated. Although a teacher may ensure that each of their social

media accounts are private, this does not mean that the messages and photos that they post are

not at risk of being spread to others. Though it is not part of a teacher’s job to censor their

thoughts and perspectives, maintaining professional behavior on the internet is an important

aspect that each teacher should adhere to. The following paper will discuss the principles that

will help determine whether a teacher should or should not post something on social media,

reinforcing what is expected of each teacher by the Alberta Teachers’ Association Code of

Conduct (n.d).

What Should be Posted on Social Media

In terms of content, there are a myriad of things that teachers are able to post on their

social media, be it: updates, personal photos, opinions on matters, media they are fond of and

news postings just to name a few. Whilst teachers are entitled to individuality, they are also
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bound by the responsibility to “endeavor to be good citizens, hold themselves to high ethical

standards and honour democratic ideals and the laws of the land” (Donlevy & Walker, 2006, p.

230). Thus, it is apparent that teacher’s social media posts practice those ideals. Posts can be

personal, but they should also advocate for the benefit of society and others as well. The intent of

social media is inherently connected to the ideals of relational reciprocity; that people seek

human interaction and affection. This is intrinsically why we are able to see one another's posts,

comment and/or like them. To retain that reciprocity, it is essential that teachers' posts “must be

committed to the foundational view that people matter” (Donlevy & Walker, 2006, p. 229). Posts

can be of any form, but they must be respectful and caring for others. Teachers have a

responsibility to reciprocity and their posts should not only adhere to it, but should advocate for

it as well, as “teachers serve positions that make probable the provision of the best human

services for all” (Donlevy & Walker, 2006, p. 231).

When considering if something is proper to be posted, it is essential to integrate

utilitarian ethics, i.e. “what is in everybody’s best interests” (Donlevy, 2021). Not only can a post

potentially hinder your personal academic/career future, but it can also affect anyone associated

with the post as well, including peers or the school board. Being utilitarian is essential as it is

considerate of everybody and removes any potential for harm or offence. Teachers should also

post media that is ethically virtuous, as the profession itself is inherently virtuous. To be a

virtuous person is “one who knows what is right, and does what is right for the right reason”

(DK, 2019, p. 180). Media uploads should always be rooted in this ideal to retain the

aforementioned concept of reciprocity. A post should only be put on social media after the

educator has used “practical wisdom” (Donlevy, 2021) and truly evaluated that the content of the

upload is ethically ‘right’ and would not cause any harm to people or any negative setbacks.
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The key thing to also consider when posting anything on social media is to retain one’s

professionality, that “the teacher acts in a manner which maintains the honour and dignity of the

profession” (ATA, n.d.). Teachers are potent influencers inside and outside the classroom, thus it

is just as important that they retain their professionality on social media equally as much as when

they would be in the classroom. Social media uploads should be: respectful of others, contain

school-safe/appropriate content and language (ATA, n.d.), be factual and well spoken. In

summary, teachers can post practically anything on social media, but the fact that they have such

important professional roles in society strongly dictates what a teacher should post online. Under

that professionality, teachers' posts should be: considerate of others, be ethically virtuous and

utilitarian in practice, formulate reciprocity and represent good citizenship.

What Should not be Posted on Social Media

Social media and technology are more readily available now than ever before to young

children and adults. Nowadays, youth is growing up having their personal lives put on the

display of social media and this is becoming a social norm in North American culture. Prior to

entering the teaching profession, there are sets of rights and responsibilities that are outlined by

the teaching associations and the school boards that must be met as long as the individual is

actively teaching. Teaching Quality Standard and the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities

for Teachers condition facilitating learning as “a teacher builds positive and productive

relationships with students, parents/guardians, peers and others in the school and local

community to support student learning” (Alberta Education, 2020; ATA, 2018). The teaching is

a community serving career which requires teachers to put their best foot forward in all aspects;
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therefore, outlining what should or should not be posted on social media is an important

requirement to uphold the rules within the set frameworks.

The teaching profession is a lifelong commitment focusing on fostering “inclusive

learning environments where diversity is embraced and every student is welcomed, cared for,

respected and safe” (Alberta Education, 2020). More specifically, the teachers are obligated to

act in loco parentis, or in place of a parent as a role model and a leader. According to the

deontological approach to ethics, teachers are required to “do the right thing”, placing the

teacher's obligation at stake to act according to the rules or ethical principles such as categorical

imperative (Donlevy, J.K. 2021). Categorical imperative is when the decision made by an

individual must be universally applicable to all. Within the Code of Professional Conduct (n.d.),

section 1 demonstrates the methodology which the teacher is required to follow, including

“respect the dignity and rights of all persons without prejudice as to race, religious beliefs,

colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical characteristics,

disability, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, place of origin, place of residence,

socioeconomic background or linguistic background”. Therefore, a teacher needs to refrain from

posting anything online that would violate this requirement according to categorical imperative if

teachers are not following the ethical obligation but are required to act in loco parentis and be

role models, what does it teach the students?

Furthermore, section 18 in the Professional Code of Conduct (2018) states that “the

teacher acts in a manner which maintains the honour and dignity of the profession” meaning that

this is applicable in both off- and on-duty settings. According to virtue ethics life is to be lived

according to the moral character by being honest, brave, just, generous, and along with others
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(Ethics Unwrapped, 2021). The moral character is shaped prior to the decision-making event;

therefore, it is a sum of individual characteristics and decisions that contribute to the moral

character of each teacher that upholds the honour and dignity of the teaching profession. To

summarize this argument, teachers should not post that is not kid- or family-friendly, anything

with illegal substances such as drugs or alcohol, morally inappropriate such as nudity or dark

humour jokes as it is discoverable on social media engines regardless of the privacy settings.

Conclusion

Teaching is a profession that requires professionalism within all periods and positions.

Teachers are expected to remain as positive role models to students within the classroom as well

as outside of the classroom, as they are viewed as superiors to their students and hold a high

amount of influence. The teaching profession is more than just a job, it is a commitment and a

calling. The duties and responsibilities of an educator extend beyond the walls of the school and

their actions have long-term effects not only on one individual but the community as well.

Therefore, posting any material that can harm the moral character of the teaching profession or

the learning environment of students will consequently undermine the community’s trust in the

education system that is meant to facilitate learning with irreparable damage.

All individuals have the right to their own views, opinions, and speech, as teachers are

entitled to their own individuality, however, they are also bound by the responsibility to

“endeavor to be good citizens, hold themselves to high ethical standards and honour democratic

ideals and the laws of the land” (Donlevy & Walker, 2006, p. 230). Teachers must adhere to the

Professional Code of Conduct (2018), in regard to their social media activity, teachers must
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oblige to section 18 which states “the teacher acts in a manner which maintains the honour and

dignity of the profession” in all aspects, whether that be online or within the classroom.

As per the Alberta Teachers’ Association Code of Conduct (n.d), Social media

uploads should be respectful of others, contain school-safe/appropriate content and language. A

post should only be put on social media after the educator has used “practical wisdom”

(Donlevy, 2021) and truly evaluated that the content of the upload is ethically ‘right’ and would

not cause any harm to people or any negative setbacks. Teachers are able to use social media for

both personal, and professional use. This is greatly encouraged and can be a great way to interact

with students in a professional manner, if permitted within the district and school board. From a

professional manner, teachers are able to interact, build connections, and extend student learning.

From a personal manner, teachers are able to share their lives, however, must keep in mind the

influence and impact they hold, the teacher must act in a manner within all aspects of their lives,

with honour and dignity of the profession (ATA. n.d.). Social media is a great platform when

used appropriately and respectfully.

References
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Alberta Education. (2020). Teaching quality standard. Edmonton: Alberta Government.

https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/ed-teaching-quality-standard-english-print-

ready

.pdf

ATA. (n.d.). Code of professional conduct. The Alberta Teachers’ Association. Retrieved from:

IM-4E Code of Professional Conduct.pdf (teachers.ab.ca)

ATA. (n.d.). Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities for Teachers. The Alberta Teachers’

Association. Retrieved from:

IM-4E Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities for Teachers.pdf (teachers.ab.ca)

DK. (2019). How philosophy works: The concepts visually explained. Penguin Random House.

Dunlevy, J.K. (2021). What is ethics [podcast]. University of Calgary.

Dunlevy, J.K., & Walker, K.D. (2006). Beyond relativism to ethical decision making [vol. 6].

Journal of School Leadership. Retrieved from: Beyond Relativism to Ethical Decision

Making (ucalgary.ca)

Ethics Unwrapped. (2021, January 25). Virtue ethics. The University of Texas at Austin.

Retrieved from https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/virtue-ethics.