How to react when a teacher is too loose with students online

Q: I’m a high school teacher and baseball coach in my early 30s. My students relate to me, but I work hard to make sure they view me as their teacher, not their friend. I use social media, but I don’t interact with kids online. The only exception is Facebook, which I use to organize team activities. I have a colleague who thinks I’m overly restrictive. He will engage with students on Snapchat or Instagram in a joking way, “liking” their comments and photos. We are both men, and I think he’s playing with fire. I told him I was concerned and advised him to cut it out, but if anything he’s blurring boundaries even more. I am 99% sure he would never do anything inappropriate with a student, and I don’t want to “tell” on him, but that 1% doubt is getting to me. Do I have a responsibility to tell my principal? Is there another way to handle this so I don’t explode the friendship?

A: This is a touchy subject that isn’t going away any time soon. Social media can be a good way to communicate with students and parents, but teachers have an obligation to keep those relationships professional and to model positive, respectful online behavior.

In this case, your friend clearly isn’t answering homework questions. This situation can be broken down into multiple parts, but let’s start with the legal. Although your friend’s behavior may violate school or district policy, you are not compelled to make a report unless you suspect child maltreatment. Think about other times you have witnessed a teacher break a rule or do something wrong. Do you approach the principal every time you see a colleague sneak into work five minutes late or photocopy a personal document?