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Should Teachers be Allowed to Have a Facebook and Twitter Account?
==== Whether or not teachers should be allowed to use social networking sites has become a common topic among school officials and educators. A Missouri judge has just blocked a law that would prohibit teachers from being able to use social networking sites unless done in public and no private messages are exchanged. The Law would have “barred teachers from using non-work-related websites that give “exclusive access” to current students or former students who are 18 or younger.” The law was challenged by Missouri teachers saying “ websites such as Facebook and Twitter have become a common part of modern interaction between teachers and students and argued that to restrict them would violate the First Amendment.” The Missouri state teachers association is pushing for a revised version of the law but this will not be again heard until January. ==== ==== Considering I’m going to be a future educator I have pondered with the idea of using social networking sites or not. I like the idea of social networking sites and think that as long as you use common sense while using Facebook or Twitter you’ll be fine. There’s ways to set your Facebook to private so someone who isn’t your friend cannot see your information, pictures, or write on you wall. As long as teachers keep their Facebook private and don’t accept or send friend requests to students I don’t see a problem with teachers having a Facebook. Though Facebook would give students another way to interact with their teachers I don’t think it would be the best way. Considering most students know how to work a computer they could send their teachers an email with regards to their concerns and teachers could still use their Facebook and twitter for social networking. ====