The Professionals Online Safety Helpline (POSH), a national helpline and part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, assists members of the children’s workforce with any online safety and safeguarding issue. Its latest figures show that during 2019 some 844 cases were reported - 67% of which were from teachers.
While we should all be realistic about social media, abuse/criticism online should not be seen to be an occupational hazard by teachers or educational settings.
Educational settings fairly often face the following types of criticism/abuse online:
Parent complaining about the school/an individual member of staff
‘Spoof’ page created by a student
Inappropriate comments about a member of staff or other parents
Parent discussing a behaviour incident
Most abuse/criticism of educational settings comes from parents, then students, then ex-parents and then ex-staff
There are a number of ways you can prevent this sort of criticism or abuse taking place in the first place.
Set expectations on acceptable social media use for all, including parents and volunteers
Provide an offline forum for parents to give their views
Make sure parents know how to officially complain
Use social media channels to regularly celebrate your educational setting
Monitor what is being said about you and your staff
Ensure you have a social media strategy
If a highly critical or abusive post is already online:
Gather evidence (screenshots, dates, names etc)
Take a calm, considered approach, but a timely one
Assess whether to monitor or write to the individual/individuals or to escalate/report it to a third party
Increase positive social media posts
If in doubt, contact the Professionals Online Safety Helpline (POSH) helpline@saferinternet.org.uk or 0344 381 4772
If you need help in drafting communications to parents, managing your reputation or crisis communications, contact jessica@sparrowhawkcommunications.com