Making Sense

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Parenting, media, and everything in between.

 

Should students and teachers be friends on Facebook?
• August 1, 2012 • Categories: Facebook advice
Parenting Editor | Mom of one

First check with your school. Some have strict rules about teachers and students being Facebook friends on a teacher's personal page. (And we've heard from many teachers who frown upon the practice.) But if the teacher creates a class-wide Facebook page or dedicated Facebook Group, then he or she is most likely using it as a teaching tool. Still, you have the right to investigate further to make sure it's all legit.

Some educators are making use of social learning networks like Edmodo, Schoology, and Collaborize Classroom for their students to discuss issues, collaborate on projects, or just assign and receive homework. Any teacher who requires students to join a social network should send home clear guidelines for how they're using it.

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About Caroline Knorr

As Common Sense Media's parenting editor, Caroline helps parents make sense of what’s going on in their kids' media lives. From games to cell phones to movies and more, if you're wondering "what’s...

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Spinx Inc Feb 7, 2013
I think teacher can understand her students freely and vice versa by adding them in Facebook friend.
Aqsa Motahhir Feb 5, 2013
As a student, teachers only talk to you about academic work, not as a friend that has more knowledge and is trying to help you gain that as well. Getting to know the teacher could help you warm up to them and they confidence in what they are learning. It could be hard to socialze with a teacher, but I have tried and amazingly it has worked. Thanks to a teacher that has given me confidence in my writing, I had my first poem published in the school magazine. It is wonderful. Now many teachers at my school know my ability to write is really good and I love to write. It is a great idea to be friends with your teacher, I just don't have facebook, so I talk to them face to face!
Declan799 Oct 4, 2012
One of the belongings with which they trial is how they converse to their parents. When they're feeling antagonistic, lonely, miserable, or upset, one of the belongings they try to perform is give an elegant answer or ironic joke. *://*facebookstatus123*/category/rude-facebook-status
Kid, 11 years old Sep 2, 2012
I think if you ask your teacher if they have a Facebook account, and they allow you to send them a friend request, I think it would be okay.
Caroline Knorr Sep 6, 2012
Thanks for your comment! If a teacher accepts your friend request, tell your parents that you are Facebook friends with the teacher. Parents: you can friend the teacher on Facebook, too, and then you can keep an eye on things.

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