Step-by-step Guides
Schools have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect students from any harm that should have reasonably been foreseen. The nature and scope of the duty in these circumstances will vary according to a number of factors, for example: the role and responsibility of the employee and whether the incident occurred inside or outside of school hours etc.
Unfortunately, the misuse of social media tools is on the increase and they are now being used by some students and parents to deliberately defame or vilify a principal or teacher. The DEECD shares the concerns of teachers and principals and acknowledges that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
It is important to emphasise that the fastest way to remove inappropriate content from the web is to take immediate action. Personally report the comment to the site owner. If possible also have other people report or log a concern. In most instances, this will raise the profile of the report and have it removed more quickly. Individual sites provide guidance within their help section on how to report abuse, an inappropriate photo or harassing message, etc. Unfortunately, the DEECD can only take the same measures as an individual.
The following three guides aim to provide practical steps and actions that will further support DEECD employees in educational settings to protect, respond to or manage an online incident of concern
- Provides practical support to assist schools to respond to and manage a student who has a) been exposed to inappropriate behaviour or b) has engaged in inappropriate behaviour.
- Assists individuals to remove inappropriate content from the web such as personal attacks that humiliate or defame an individual (e.g. teacher or student) or where a fake profile of a school has been established.
- Supports DEECD employees (e.g. principals and teachers) to understand and access legal and wellbeing support that is available through the Department’s Regional and Central Office, particularly if they have been the subject of online vilification (e.g. defamatory remarks make online by a student and/or parent).