Can Schools check your Social Media History or track Posts?

If you get enrolled in an educational institution, many students’ minds are asked, “Can my school track social media history and posts”. 

With private employers, collegiate admissions committees, and job interviews becoming increasingly digital, there’s also a demand for users to provide proof of their online presence when applying for work. Let’s discover more. 

Does My School Track my Social Media? 

We live in a world where technology is changing every day. Technology has become so much more than just a product that we use.

It has become an integral part of our everyday lives and is becoming increasingly important for us to stay connected with our friends and family.

The internet has given us access to information and communication that was once impossible to find or obtain.

Schools can check your social media and track your posts if there is a big reason to do that or if there is an investigation into your conduct. This is because once you post something online, it is available to everyone. Professors check if it is necessary. Therefore, it is advisable to post decent content online.

There are many reasons why schools track social media platforms, and in some cases, it’s necessary. 

For example, if a student posts inappropriate content, the school can use that information to discipline him or her.

However, many other times, tracking students’ social media activities is done simply out of curiosity.

Most schools use third-party tools to monitor students’ social media activity.

For example, some schools use the popular Facebook application “Hootsuite” or “Tweetdeck.”

These programs allow administrators to easily see all of their students’ tweets and posts on Facebook and Twitter. This is public. But also, remember that schools can see your internet history if you use the school computers.

Most schools will even create lists of keywords related to particular classes so they can monitor what their students are talking about during class time or homework hours.

Consequences of bad Social Media activity in School

Social media is a part of our everyday lives and can get used for various purposes. However, some consequences come with social media use in school.

1. Social Media Affects Students’ Grades

A recent study conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that college students who used social media were more likely to report using drugs or alcohol at least once in the past year than students who did not. This can have serious consequences, such as lower grades and increased risk for substance abuse.

2. Social Media Affects Students’ Mental Health

Social media has been shown to negatively affect mental health in young adults. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that teens who spend more time on social media have lower self-esteem, higher depression rates and higher suicide attempts than those who do not spend time on social media. 

Teens who spend more time on social media also experience higher feelings of loneliness than those who do not spend time on social media.

3.Social Media Can be Addictive

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can become addictive for teenagers because they provide instant gratification through likes and comments from friends or followers.

This is one of the most common consequences of social media activity in school. Social media can be addictive because it offers a lot of fun and entertainment. However, it also poses a lot of risks when it comes to your health and personal life.

4. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the act of harming another person online by posting hurtful or mean comments or messages. It can include posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone online, sending threatening messages, spreading rumors about someone and more. 

Cyberbullying can harm a person’s emotional well-being because it makes them feel insecure about themselves and their life.

5. Identity Theft 

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information to access your bank account or other personal information without your permission or knowledge.

Such an identity breach can happen when someone steals your password or gains access through hacking into your email account. 

Some people may not realize they hacked until they try to log in and find they cannot access their accounts because someone else has accessed them instead of them! Identity theft can cause damage to your credit.

Can Schools Punish Students for Social Media Posts?

A school can punish a student if he or she posts content that violates the rules. They can discipline you for any inappropriate behavior, including online posts. Schools are allowed to punish students who violate the rules of their schools, including posting inappropriate photos and comments on social media.

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the right of students to attend school without fear of harassment or discrimination.

Schools cannot punish students for what they say or post online. 

However, schools can suspend students from extracurricular activities if they are involved in illegal activities like drug use or gang membership.

For illustration purposes, New York Times reported on a student in Pennsylvania who got suspended after sharing some content on the media. Later, the student sued the school district and got a swiping victory. 

Can Teachers get in Trouble for Social Media

Teachers can get in trouble if they post unacceptable content on social media. They can be suspended, fired, or even arrested if their social media posts violate the law. And that’s not just for students; teachers are also subject to laws protecting students from cyberbullying and harassment by other students or teachers.

Here are some examples of what can get you in trouble:

• Posting information about your student online or using their picture without their permission.
• Using inappropriate language or images in a public forum.
• Driving without child safety seats for your child or not having them installed.
• Sending inappropriate text messages or photos to someone else’s child or sending them to any student.

Is it Illegal to follow Students on Social Media?

It is not illegal to follow students on social media. However, if you are a teacher and fellow students on their social media accounts, that could be considered inappropriate behavior.

There are some laws against teachers following students on social media, but they don’t apply if you are a private citizen and not an employee of the school district.

In general, it’s not illegal for teachers to follow students on social media as long as they don’t use the platform to contact them or make comments about them.