Q: I’m a new teacher in my mid-20s. Maybe it’s generational, but I do Google searches on everyone in my life. Sometimes it’s just idle curiosity, such as wondering about an old classmate or an ex-boyfriend, but other times I’m trying to make good, healthy decisions in my own life. For instance, I might search a potential employer or look up a guy I’ve been exchanging messages with on a dating website. I mean, who wants to work for a principal who got trashed in an online discussion forum or go out on a date with a man who was convicted of abusing an ex-girlfriend? You can find out a lot about people online, so I’m not planning to stop anytime soon.
In recent months, however, I’ve also felt a strong urge to Google specific students. The desire comes from a place of concern and not only curiosity. I might worry they’re depressed and are at risk of harming themselves, or I might notice that they’re disruptive or have stopped coming to class. Or maybe I’ve heard them make inappropriate (think sexist, homophobic, racist, or violent) comments, or I suspect they’re being abused or neglected at home. As I’ve discovered in my personal life, Google is a fertile ground for information, and I want to make sure I don’t miss any red flags. If my students haven’t locked their accounts to private, then they must know they’re risking this sort of thing, right? Am I within my rights to look them up online? Do you think it’s a bad idea?
A: Every behavior serves a need. That’s as true for you as it is for your students. For instance, you want to look up your students online because you’re worried about them and want to offer support. That’s admirable but Googling them without their consent not only violates their privacy, it also possibly violates school policies and ethical guidelines. Plus, you may turn up inaccurate or misleading information that could bias you against them and lead you to treat them unfairly. The good news is that there are other, more effective ways to provide a safety net.
There are other, more effective ways to provide a safety net.
For instance, you can assess a student’s demeanor in class, share any observations with them — whether it’s about their academic performance, attendance, behavior or affect — ask them about their interests, and generally foster a positive relationship with them. If they say something hateful, seize the opportunity to have an authentic, one-on-one conversation about your concerns. Isn’t that what you’d do anyway if you spotted something worrisome online? You also can gather information from their other teachers or coaches, check in with their caregivers, or talk to an administrator or a school counselor — basically anyone who might be able to provide helpful context or share additional information. Along with the other adults in a student’s life, you can marshal resources and collaborate on a support plan. I do want to underscore that if you believe a student is in danger or is a danger to others, you’re responsible for contacting the appropriate authority, such as child protective services or the police. In short, while there are plenty of ethical reasons to stay offline, there are even more practical reasons to approach your students more personally and directly. In your personal life, however, you should feel free to Google whomever you want!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phyllis L. Fagell
Phyllis L. Fagell is the school counselor at Landon School in Washington, D.C., a therapist at the Chrysalis Group in Bethesda, Md., and the author of the Career Confidential blog. She is also the author of Middle School Matters and Middle School Superpowers, available at https://amzn.to/3Pw0pcu.
