Social media platforms continue to be a useful way to share information, keep in touch with friends and family, and even promote an independent school; however, they also can continue to create headaches for independent schools. Increasingly, employees, students, alumni, and parents have taken to social media to air their grievances, express political views, and discuss their opinions regarding school closings, face masks, COVID-19 vaccines, and other hot-button issues. Schools should take a fresh look at their social media policies and consider whether they address the latest challenges and issues that may arise.
Social media can be used to bully or attack other employees, students, board members, or school administrators on an individual or on a broad scale, often anonymously, creating the potential for individual upset as well as reputational harm. For example, a video clip taken out of context, shared widely, and then picked up by the media can cause disruption to the fabric of the school community as well as the school’s regular activities. Spreading misinformation, disagreement with school policies, and engaging in divisive discussions are just some of the ways that social media has impacted school communities.
When it comes to employees’ rights, contrary to popular misconception, independent school employees do not have First Amendment free speech rights within the context of their employment. The First...
In a 2017 piece in The New York Times, voting expert Ari Berman wrote, “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed tactics that prevented blacks, Hispanics and other minority groups from voting. But fo...