Social Media Guidelines for Students

1. Be aware of what you post online.  Social media venues are very public.  What you contribute leaves a digital footprint for all to see.  Do not post anything you wouldn't want friends, parents, teachers, or a future employer to see. 
2. Follow the school's code of conduct when writing online.  It is acceptable to disagree with someone else's opinions, however, do it in a respectful way.  Make sure that criticism is constructive and not hurtful.  What is inappropriate in the classroom is inappropriate online. 
3. Be safe online.  Never give out personal information including but not limited to last names, phone numbers, addresses, and pictures.  Do not share your password!
4. Linking to other websites to support your thoughts and ideas is recommended.  However, be sure to read the entire article prior to linking to ensure that all information is appropriate for a school setting.
5. Do your own work!  Do not use other people's intellectual property without their permission.  Be aware that it is a violation of copyright law to copy and paste other's thoughts. It is good practice to hyperlink to your sources.
6. How you represent yourself online is an extension of yourself.  Do not misrepresent yourself by using someone else's identiy.
7. Blog and wiki posts should be well written.  Follow writing conventions including proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.

Examples of student contracts/agreements:

• Sample permission to blog letter

• Wiki Warranty - TeachersFirst offers this sample as a service to teachers seeking to set up wikis for their classrooms. It should not be seen as legal advice or as a legal document. Teachers wishing to use this document in total or in part must give credit to TeachersFirst for any portions used from this sample

• Student Bloggers FAQ from Electronic Frontier Foundation

Managing your online identity