Social Media and Schools

 

 

Last year I wrote about a controversy involving school board members strongly advocating for the school department to begin to use Facebook and Twitter for communication with parents and others. At that time I strongly opposed this use of social media. It wasn't long before those school board members had coerced school staff into launching the use of Facebook as an official school department communication tool. 'Follow us on Facebook' soon appeared on the school department website - just one click away. Advertisements around the borders of the school department Facebook soon followed. The ubiquitous "You May Also Like" sections appeared. Links to business websites soon appeared. 'Featured posts' also emerged. All this garbage simply detracts from the true educational mission of a public school department. Captive advertising. Nothing will convince me that the use of social media is compatible with educational institutions.

 

Here's another really good reason. The Washington Post has reported that Facebook officials have reported to Congressional investigators that it sold political ads during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign to a Russian troll farm who wanted to target American voters. Facebook Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos reported these paid advertisements and featured posts "were intended to sow discord among the American electorate by amplifying divisive social and political messages. These ranged from LGBT matters to race issues to immigration to gun rights." All this was only discovered after the fact during a review conducted by Facebook of their ad buys, which Stamos reported violated their policies.

 

So, Facebook not only owns whatever is posted on Facebook and uses it however and whenever they desire, but they also have contributed to the alleged Russian influence of our democratic elections. So, what does Facebook do with all the information posted on a school's Facebook page?  Would you trust they use your information responsibly?