Overview #
The College is committed to nurturing and engaging its community and recognises the benefits social media can play in this. The College also encourages families to deal with staff, students, and the wider community in a way that is positive, mutually beneficial, and Christ-like in character. To this end, the following policy has been developed to document the College’s stance on the use of social media and as a guide for those using the College’s social media and online channels.
Rationale and Scope #
The purpose of this policy is to outline the conduct expected of users of its social media channels, and how the College will deal with breaches of this use. It is not intended to be prescriptive, but seeks to protect users, as well as the College, from abuse. It applies to all users of any of the College’s social media channels, which may vary from time to time.
Attachments and References #
This policy should be read in conjunction with the following documents:
Definitions #
Social media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies and associated channels that allow users to easily publish, share, and discuss content in highly interactive communications. The ever-changing and inherently public nature of these and other forms of online communication present a range of challenges in safeguarding the College community, its staff and students.
Policy Statements #
1. The College recognises the potential value of social media as an effective educative and social tool for expressing views, comments, ideas, and criticism on a whole range of issues.
2. The College expects users of its social media channels to use them in a respectful and responsible manner. Social media should not be used to insult, present offensive or inappropriate content, or to misrepresent the College or any member of its community.
3. It is expected that subscribers will uphold the ethos and values of the College. This includes the context of all social media interactions.
Social Media Channels #
1. There are various forms of social media channels and there are always new forms of social media being developed. Currently, the main forms of social media include (but are not limited to):
- social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Google+, Foursquare, LinkedIn, Bebo, Reddit);
- video and photo sharing sites (e.g. Flickr, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest);
- micro-blogging sites (e.g. Twitter, Posterous, Dailybooth);
- blogs, including corporate blogs and personal blogs or blogs hosted by traditional media publications;
- podcasts, including corporate podcasts and personal podcasts;
- forums and discussion boards (e.g. local discussion boards such as Whirlpool, Yahoo! Groups or Google Groups);
- virtual game world (e.g. World of Warcraft);
- virtual social worlds (e.g. Second Life);
- online encyclopaedias (e.g. wikis such as Wikipedia, Geo-wiki, GeoNames and Sidewiki);
- any other websites that allow individual users or companies to use simple publishing tools (collectively called Social Media).
2. These channels offer individuals the opportunity to connect with people, create and share information and ideas and develop relationships through online communities and networks.
Procedures and Guidelines #
1. Users are expected to show respect to others, including all members of the College community, and to give due respect to the reputation and good name of the College.
2. When using social media, users are expected to ensure that they:
- respect the rights and confidentiality of others;
- do not impersonate or falsely represent another person;
- do not bully, intimidate, abuse, harass or threaten others;
- do not make defamatory comments;
- do not use offensive or threatening language or resort to personal abuse towards each other or members of the College community;
- do not post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic, or incites violence against others;
- do not harm the reputation and good standing of Rehoboth Christian College or those within its community.
3. A breach of this policy will be considered by the College or its delegate, such as the Principal or CEO, and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. This may include the deletion of posts or materials that are considered to breach this policy.
4. All reports of cyber bullying and other technology misuses will be investigated fully and may result in a notification to Police where the College is obliged to do so. Should the need arise, sanctions may be enforced. Users must be aware that in certain circumstances where a crime has been committed, they may be subject to a criminal investigation by Police over which the College will have no control.
5. The College aims to provide subscribers with an open forum for supporting and discussing issues related to its activities. The channels through which such discussions are conducted are monitored by the College in order to ensure that its aims are being met and this policy is not being breached.
6. If you have any queries about this policy, please contact the College by email – community@rehoboth.wa.edu.au
