SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY (August 2020)
INTRODUCTION
All those who are part of the GPHS community, students, parents, teachers, administrative staff, have the right to benefit from the opportunities that exist from being members of our community. They should all behave within and outside of the School in such a manner that the image of the School is not negatively affected or brought into disrepute.
GPHS accepts that the use of Social Media can be an effective business and social tool and that such media is commonly used by the community to express their views, comments, ideas, and criticism on a whole range of issues.
GPHS expects those who are part of the GPHS community, when using Social Media, to show courtesy and respect to others. Social Media should not be used to abuse others, expose themselves to offensive or inappropriate content or to denigrate or show disrespect for GPHS.
The purpose of this policy is to set standards of behaviour for the use of Social Media that are consistent with the broader values and expectations of the GPHS community.
This policy applies to our School community, GPHS staff, students and parents.
DEFINITIONS
Social Media - refers to all social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, YouTube, My Space, Tumblr and other such sites..
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The School community is expected to respect the rights and confidentiality of others, including members of the School community. Members of the School community are also expected to give due respect to the reputation and good name of the School.
When using Social Media, our community is expected to ensure that they do not:
- Impersonate or falsely represent another person
- Bully, intimidate, abuse, harass or threaten others
- Make defamatory comments
- Use obscene or offensive language towards others
- Post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic or incites violence against others
- Harm the reputation and good standing of GPHS or those within its community
- Use excessive criticism to portray a person as socially, mentally, physically or intellectually inferior as a prohibited behaviour.
BREACH OF THIS POLICY
A breach of this policy may also involve a breach of other GPHS policies, such as:
- Anti Bullying Policy
- Information Communication Technologies Policy (ICT)
- Student Code of Conduct
Any breach of this policy will be considered by the Principal or delegate, and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
All reports of cyber bullying and other technology misuses will be investigated fully and may result in a notification to Police where the School is legally obliged to do so. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, the loss of computer privileges, detention, suspension, or expulsion from the School. Students must be aware that in certain circumstances where a crime has been committed, they may be subjected to a criminal investigation by Police over which the School will have no control.
September 2011