Social Media Policy for Texas State University Child Development Center

Texas State Child Development Center

E-Safety, Cell Phone, Photography and Video Policy

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY 

This policy provides guidance for student use of social media, which should be broadly understood for purposes of this policy to include blogs, wikis, microblogs, message boards, chat rooms, electronic newsletters, online forums, social networking sites, and other sites and services that permit users to share information with others in a contemporaneous manner.   

PROCEDURES

The following principles apply to professional use of social media on behalf of the Texas State University Child Development Center (CDC) as well as personal use of social media when referencing the CDC. 

• Students need to know and adhere to the Texas State Staff Handbook and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers when using social media in reference to the CDC.
• Students should be aware of the effect their actions may have on their personal self-image, as well as the image of the CDC.
• Students should be aware that CDC stakeholders may observe content and information made available by students through social media.
• When using social media sites:
  • No digital imagery/photos/videos of CDC children or their families may be published on social media sites/networking sites under any circumstances.
  • Students may not mention any CDC children by name.
  • Students may not discuss or divulge any personal or confidential information obtained while employed or associated with the CDC.
  • Photographs, videos and/or information about other staff members are not to be posted without the specific permission of the individual staff member
  • Students must treat online behavior as off-line CDC behavior when it relates to CDC families, children and staff, i.e. staff must follow CDC, TDFPS, and accreditation confidentiality rules and regulations regarding these populations.
• Students should use their best judgment to ensure that information posted online  is neither inappropriate, nor harmful to the CDC, its employees, and/or families.
• Although not an exclusive list, some specific examples of prohibited social media conduct include posting commentary, content, and/or images that are defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or that can create a hostile work environment.
• Students may not post or release confidential or proprietary information about the CDC or CDC employees, students (children), parents, affiliates, or alumni that would violate such persons’ rights to privacy under applicable federal and state laws and regulations such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and university policies.
• Social media use cannot interfere with student’s responsibilities at the CDC.

Only a few people within the CDC are charged with speaking on behalf of the center.  Students are instructed to refrain from making statements on social media that could be construed as though the student represents the CDC in an official capacity.

CELL PHONE POLICY 

• According to Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, caregivers must be free from activities not directly involving the teaching, care, and supervision of children, such as:  personal use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, smart watches, MP3 players, tablets, and video games 746.1203 (6) (D). 
• All students shall acknowledge that personal electronic devices (i.e. cell phones) must be turned off while on duty at the CDC and not kept on the employee’s person.  Smart watches may be worn, but notifications (i.e. text messages and calls) need to be disabled (airplane or do not disturb) while on duty so they do not distract from the supervision of children. 
• In the event of an emergency or the expectation of an urgent outside call, students are instructed to give the caller the CDC phone number (512-245-2621), or give the front desk staff my cell phone to answer the call.

CAMERA/VIDEO POLICY 

Photographs and videos of children engaged in activities and experiences in the classrooms can provide the staff with valuable evidence to include in their observation journals.  In order to promote the safe use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), it is essential that when recording images of the children in our care their privacy, dignity and well-being are respected at all times. 

1. Images cannot violate children’s rights to privacy under applicable federal and state laws and regulations such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and university policies.
2. Images taken should not put the child/children in compromising positions that could cause embarrassment or distress.
3. Images cannot be taken in restrooms or changing areas.
4. Images are to be uploaded to the CDC subscribed/approved classroom page and then deleted from the CDC tablet within one week.
5. It is essential that photographs and video footage taken are sent only to authorized parents/guardians.
6. All classroom staff are responsible for the location of their classroom tablet.  The tablets must be visible at all times during operating hours and are to be checked in and out from the front desk each day.

SUPERVISION and MONITORING

Authorized employees of the CDC (Director, Assistant Director, Master Teacher or FCS Chair) have the right to monitor or review the use of information technology resources and to examine, use and disclose any information found.  They may use this information in disciplinary actions and release it to the appropriate authorities required by CDC, licensing and university regulations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF POLICY

I understand and will comply with the Texas State CDC E-Safety, Social Media, Cell Phone, Camera and Video Policies.

I acknowledge that violation of these policies will result in disciplinary action.