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Should the law mandate student-teacher relationships on Facebook?
By camilledoty in Camille's Corner
August 10, 2011

Image Hello Advocate readers,

I read almost any news article regarding Facebook. Instantly, I perk up when I hear or read anything about this social media phenomena. When it comes to checking my account everyday... I'm guilty as charged. Facebook can be entertaining and in my line of work very helpful. This week I came across an interesting article.

Missouri has a new law going into effect Sunday, Aug. 28, banning student-teacher relationships on Facebook or any other social media site. The "Show Me" state's governor, Jay Nixon, signed the bill into law last month.

Here's an excerpt from Missouri's own Chillicothenews.com,

"Senate Bill 54 — officially named the “Amy Hestir Student Protection Act” after a girl of that name who was sexually abused by her teacher — focuses in a majority of its wording on the prevention of inappropriate student-teacher relationships on the internet, and especially on non-work related social media sites. It is the hope of lawmakers that this bill will prevent future cases of sexual predation within school systems."

I'm on the fence about teachers and students being Facebook friends...and getting the law involved just makes the issue that much more complex. I was already in the workforce when Facebook became popular, so I didn't have live in the social media shades of gray as a student.

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg and I were in school around the same time drinking from juice-boxes and playing "red light, green light." Life seemed to be simpler then.

The 27-year-old's brainchild has ignited a new culture, that's not going away anytime soon. Parents in the 21st Century have to be even more vigilant to protect themselves and their children.

Should the law, school districts, or parents decide online relationships between students and teachers? I would love to know what members of the Crossroads think.

Here are some related stories: "Facebook law takes effect at R-2" by Chillicothenews.com

."New Missouri law on social-media ‘friending’ confounds teachers" by Kansas City Star

"Missouri Bans Teachers From Friending Students on Social Network Websites" by Huffington Post