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Parent Facebook Friend?

After you return from a class field trip, a parent who was a chaperon approaches you and comments how much they enjoyed the field trip. At the end of the conversation they ask you to "friend" them on Facebook. You explain to them that it is unprofessional to be Facebook friends with a parent of a student. The parent shrugs off the comment. The following day they approach you about why you have yet to "friend" them on Facebook. How do you deal with the situation?

Posted on: 04/19/13 | Views: 1779
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would again go over how it is inappropriate to be friends online with the parents. It can eventually cross a line, and a teachers personal life needs to be separate from there professional life. I would then tell the parent that I was available through email if they had an issue to talk about and that I would post pictures of the students in the classroom, not online. I would try to be polite as possible with the parent not to cause any problems.

I think this would be the best approach.

Excellent suggestion!

Being polite is definitely the key to this situation. Some parents can get offended by the teacher saying no, but it isn't professional and does cross a line.

I think telling them politely its inappropriate is the right way to handle the situation.

Talking to the parent again about the rules is a great suggestion- let them know that there will be consequences. Great suggestion.

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Solution #2
I would simply inform the parent again that it would not be appropriate for me to engage in social networking with parents. Another simple solution is saying I do not use Facebook. Yet another simple solution, tell the parent that administration forbides doing that.

I would inform the parents that administration is against being on social media with parents. Also, it is not beneficial for the student and quite frankly is unprofessional.

I think stating it is not allowed by administration is a great idea.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #3
I've had a parent get upset at this very thing. It's silly but people really do get their feelings hurt over things on facebook. At the end of the day, telling the parent this is inappropriate is the right thing to do. We all have lives outside of the school building. Good communication with parents doesn't require connections outside of the classroom where they have access to our private photos, conversations,etc.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #4
I would keep my Facebook profile set to private so that nobody could see it. Facebook is full of personal information, and a teacher needs to be careful as to what he puts out for public view. The teacher becomes the face of the school/district/state, so there can be no possible cause for confusing your personal views for those of the school.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #5
I would simply, in a polite way, again, that it is unprofessional to "friend" a parent on Facebook. Having communication with parents on a casual level is okay, as long as the casual conversations are in the interest of the student. A teacher is there to teach the student, no befriend parents.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #6
In this situation I would remind the parent that it is unprofessional to mix and mingle with the parents of my students. Even though it is the 21st century you are still a professional and becoming their Facebook friend is deemed unprofessional.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #7
I'd tell them it would be unprofessional of me to add them as a friend and try to make them see my side of things. Hopefully they would understand how it would be wrong to be so involved with a student's parent.

Excellent suggestion!

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Solution #8
I would tell the parent that I do not feel comfortable being their "friend" on facebook. I would highlight that there needs to be a level of professionalism in our relationship and that being "friends" on facebook would only tarnish that professionalism.
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Solution #9
I would say to them that it is against school conduct code to be friends with any students' parents. If the parent continues, then I would just ask her to email the pictures to your email. Then, I would just continue to tell her the same thing when she asked. If she continues, then you have a crazy parent on your hands!
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Solution #10
I would just explain to the parent again that it is inappropriate for a teacher to be friends on social media with a parent of a current student. I would also tell the parent that I do not use social media very often and that it is primarily to keep up with family and close friends.

i would explain to the parent its unprofessional to have a parent as a facebook friend without knowing them before hand

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Solution #11
I would let her know that Facebook is a social site that is use for networking with friends. Due to the fact that I am a teacher it is not appropriate to friend students or their parents.
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Solution #12
Express to the parent that at the end of the school year you will have no trouble being their "friend". It is very inappropriate for a teacher to be "friends" with a child or their parents.
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Solution #13
I think from the first time the parent asks you if you have a facebook, you should tell the parents you do not have one even if you do. I think it gets really messy to have a facebook while teaching from the beginning, but adding parents to me is a no, no. I also think that if you are to keep a facebook while teaching you should watch what you post as well as watch the pictures you put up. I would also consider a name change or putting a name your friends will know you as that way students are not able to look you up and try to friend request you.
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Solution #14
Quite frankly, I am not on FaceBook so I have not experienced this situation. However, being a member of FaceBook does send an open invitation for your parents and even students to locate you and request to be your friend. If this parent is that persistent, I would either deactivate my account or change my name on the site. Let the parent know that you decided to deactivate your account and if they want to communicate with you then use your school email or safe method of communication where there is a paper trail and you have no choice but to conduct professional conversations.
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Solution #15
I would respond in a polite manner and explain that it is inappropriate to be friends with a student's parent on facebook and that you need to keep your personal life separate from your professional life. But offer an alternative which can be an email if they have any questions or concerns.
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Solution #16
I personally do not see an issue with being Facebook friends with parents as long as it is professional. In fact, make sure that your personal status and pictures aren't visible to them or even create a professional Facebook page designated just for parents. It is the new millennium and Facebook is the best way for parents to communicate, build relationship to keep them involved and most importantly it keeps records of the conversation.

I agree with you on this. I think it is alright to have them as a friend on Facebook. However, I am very careful to not post anything that could be taken out of context or that could make me look bad. I am also careful in choosing which parents I am friends with. I also have a grade level page for the school that I teach at. This is where we as a grade level post pictures of our students. All parents are welcome to join this page to keep up with what their children are doing in class.

I think this is a great idea. I don't see any harm in the teacher/parents interacting on Facebook.

I disagree with this solution. You should not have communication with a parent through any personal media sites. There is absolutely no reason that facebook should be used as a form of communication. I personally changed my profile name so I could not be found by parents.

I like the idea for a professional Facebook. Facebook is an easy way busy parents can communicate with teachers.

Excellent suggestion!

I don't think being Facebook friends with parents can ever be professional. It could maybe create conflict between the student and the parent because what student wants their parents to be friends with their teachers?

I would not have parents be my Facebook friends, I wouldn't mix personal and professional together. I would have a class website for all parents.

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