Question about Facebook Friends

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Okay, so I just broke down and joined Facebook. I work in theatre and it seems that is the direction we are going to share information and pictures for productions. Truthfully, I have avoided Facebook for years now. I'm a little reluctant to get pulled in.
Here's the delimna- I also teach and I do not want to accept students as friends. I don't mind using it as a professional tool, but I really don't want a bunch of kids on there posting junk. The problem is that I am fairly softhearted and don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by not being their "friend". Is there a polite way to deny friendship on there?

 

[Camelot Farms]

You can make your page so that the only friends that you get are ones that you invite. No one can ask to be your friend.

 

[JennsPeeps]

You could also be really clear to your students that you don't friend students as a matter of professional boundaries. It would help you with assertiveness and role model appropriate boundaries for them.

Believe me, they won't die if you say no.

If you do friend students, then set up a specail category for your students, and set their access to your account at basically nil. I work with MBA students and have set their access to my FB account at very minimal levels. If I become close friends with some, as I have, I upgrade their access.

Think of it as your very own "Golden Feather Membership"!

 

[Emzyyy]

LOL I wouldn't want my teachers reading my stuff anyhow.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Just ignore their request. If they ask you why at school later, tell them it's more fun to be friends with them in real life than online.

Or tell them you only use Facebook with your family.

Our school is a little different. Our superintendent is even on Facebook and is Facebook friends with the students. It really depends on where you teach, though, whether it would be considered appropriate or not. I've found Facebook to be a great way for me to stay involved in my students' lives after they graduate and over the summer. Many of my students need positive role models. I've had some great conversations with students on Facebook that I probably wouldn't have had in the classroom.

I am very cautious about what I put on Facebook and am very careful with things like pictures.

 

[19Dawn76]

My neices are both teenagers and they have teachers as friends on facebook. They got a new band director this year and that was how they first met her this summer.

I think you could have 2 dif accounts one for your teaching job and one for family and friends.

I know that 2 of my friends that are both nurses in the same place just had a huge inservice about what they could and could not post on facebook.

That s a little crazy if you ask me.Nurses in trouble for work related FACEBOOK posting.

 

[saddina]

The college my cousin works at has them make a seperate account name - college name for school related news and then a seperate acct with social news. The college I just transferred from doesn't allow professors to friend students at all, so you may want to check your school rules.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Good suggestions, y'all!

It just feels really inappropriate to befriend students on Facebook. I have a great relationship with them all at school, but there has to be a line drawn for student/faculty boundaries.

I have no desire to post personal pictures or personal info on Facebook. I do think I'll eventually post show photos and professional info. I see how it can be a great networking tool, especially with the ability to post portfolio pictures.

I didn't know I could set up levels or categories of friends. I will go check into that.

Thanks for the help! I am totally ignorant about all things Facebook.

 

[Blackbird]

So thats why my Spanish teacher won't accept my request! Oh well, her loss. I wanted to add her to find out where to send the goatmilk soap she asked for.

But Camelot Farms is right, I believe you can change your settings on that.