MO lawmakers make it illegal for teachers and students to friend each other on Facebook

Missouri restrictions on teacher-student contact go too far

At first glance, the restriction seems sensible. Written into a Missouri bill intended to protect students from inappropriate contact with teachers and other school employees is an instruction that teachers may not have “exclusive access” to any student through a social networking website.

But problems have popped up while the bill is still awaiting Gov. Jay Nixon’s signature.

The first objections came from teachers in Joplin, who said they used Facebook and other social media to reach out to students after the devastating May 22 tornado. With cell phone communication down, a number of students were accounted for through social media channels.

Upon further examination, the restriction in Senate Bill 54, also called the “Amy Hestir Student Protection Act,” looks rigid and worrisomely vague.



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/14/2950695/the-stars-editorial-missouri-restrictions.html#ixzz1PJohhmht

Why not just some district guidelines? State law is kind of an over-reaction.

And if the kids are working they don't have time to chat with their teachers on Facebook.

So it all makes sense!

and soccer. His coaches have team facebook pages set up so all the kids can get the latest info and look for carpools, etc. I wonder if those will have to be taken down as well?

And bishops, and reverends, and all those other religious mobs? How about Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop whatever-they're-called?

How about MO politicians friending their constituents? Shouldn't that be illegal too? (Erhhmm... weiners)

Rubber baby buggy bumper madness...

It is 'big Mo' and makes sense since Curly is another friend.

Although if you want.

Miss our I

If you want to go with MO as a state.

although that is the nice way, if you want to stick with the state as what Mo is, and not Big Mo.

Then you will hear that.

M is sour I.


And How is Hi in some Indian dialects, listen to the songs again.

Some clown somewhere would try to use anything on your FB page against you.

Don't they already have rules in place in a teacher's contract about not having inappropriate relationships with students? Why do they need a law targeting social media from the state? That is seriously screwed up.

SB 631 - Amy Hestir Student Protection Act. Amends 16 sections of Missouri Law relating to protecting children from sexual offenders; creating the “Amy Hestir Student Protection Act,” requiring the superintendent of a school to report an allegation of sexual misconduct by a teacher or school employee to the children’s division within 24 hours; authorizes the office of the child advocate (37.705) to coordinate mediation between schools and students where allegations of child abuse arise in the school setting; states that no person can be a school board member if he or she is required to be a registered sex offender; allows schools to request waivers to access closed records of the family care safety registry of any school employee with access to pupils; other provisions, repeals statute of limitations for unlawful sexual offenses involving a person 18years of age or under; grants broad civil immunity to school district employees who report or discuss employee job performance for the purpose of making employment decisions that affect student safety and well-being.

http://www.mobar.org/9c41b628-15fd-482c-9be4-ac04b44b0587.aspx

It's also already a law that suspected abuse must be reported.

He has been vocal about it on facebook when it comes up. He does not rave about it, but if it comes up - forget about it - he says it is a sin and a choice.

I think it may be better to not friend your students for many, many reasons. I do not agree with making it 'illegal' though.

I have no problem with secondary teachers friending their students.

This is just silly nonsense.