CYBER SAFETY AND SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

CONTENTS
1. RATIONALE

2. SCOPE

3. POLICY STATEMENT

4. EVALUATION AND REVIEW

5. DEFINITION

6. REFERENCES

7. CROSS REFERENCES

8. EFFECTIVE AND REVISED DATES

1. Rationale
The widespread availability and use of social media applications bring opportunities to
understand, engage, and communicate in new and exciting ways. While using these
technologies and services effectively, it is also important to ensure that we balance this with
our duties to our school, the community, our legal responsibilities and our reputation.
This policy sets out a framework of good practices that the stakeholders are expected to
follow when using social media to ensure that the use of social media is responsibly
undertaken.

2. Scope
This policy applies to Woodlem Park Al Hamidiya School pupils, staff, parents and the
wider school community. Under no circumstances may WPS logos, typefaces or brands be
used or published on any personal web space or on any online or offline medium without
prior consent. These are registered trademarks, patents and the property of the school.
This policy covers personal use of social media as well as the use of social media for official
school purposes, including sites hosted and maintained on behalf of the school.
The internet is a fast-moving technology and it is impossible to cover all circumstances or
emerging media – the principles set out in this policy must be followed irrespective of the
medium.

3. Policy Statement
WPS recognizes that access to technology in school gives students, parents and teachers
greater opportunities to learn, engage, communicate, and develop skills that will prepare
them for work, life, and citizenship. We are committed to helping students develop 21st-
century technology and communication skills.
To that end, this policy outlines the guidelines and behaviors that users are expected to
follow when using school technologies or when using personally-owned devices on and off
the school campus. Students, parents and teachers are expected to follow the same rules for
good behavior and respectful conduct online as offline.
Misuse of social media can result in disciplinary action.
We encourage teachers, students, staff, and other school community members to use social
networking/media (Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube) as a way to connect with others,
share educational resources, create and curate content relevant to the school experience.
While social networking is fun and valuable, there are some risks one should keep in mind
when using these tools.
 WPS makes a reasonable effort to ensure students’ safety and security online, but will not be
held accountable for any harm or damages that result from misuse of social media
technologies.
3.1. The following social media guidelines must be followed at all times:
3.1.1. Use good judgment in all situations.
3.1.2. You must know and follow the school’s Code of Conduct and Cyber Security Policy.
3.1.3. Regardless of your privacy settings, assume that all of the information you have
shared on your social network is public information.
3.1.4. Be respectful. Always treat others in a respectful, positive and considerate manner.
3.1.5. Be responsible and ethical.
3.1.6. If you are approved to represent the school, unless you are specifically authorized to
speak on behalf of the school as a spokesperson, you should state that the views
expressed in your postings, etc. are your own. Stick with discussing school-related
matters that are within your area of responsibility.
3.1.7. Keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits of social media is that it gives others
another way to talk to you, ask questions directly and to share feedback.

3.2. Do not share the following:

3.2.1. Confidential information
3.2.2. Do not publish, post or release information that is considered confidential or not
public. If it seems confidential, it probably is. Online “conversations” are never
private. Do not use your birth date, address, and cell phone number on any public
website.
3.2.3. Private and personal information.
3.2.4. To ensure your safety, be careful about the type and amount of personal information
you provide. Avoid talking about personal schedules or situations.
3.2.5. Never give out or transmit personal information of students, parents, or co-workers
3.2.6. Don’t take information you may receive through social networking (such as e-mail
addresses, customer names or telephone numbers) and assume it’s the most up-to-date
or correct.
3.2.7. Always respect the privacy of the school community members.
3.2.8. Please be cautious with respect to:
 Images
 Respect brand, trademark, copyright information and/or images of the school.
 You may use photos and videos available on the school’s website.
 Do not post pictures of others (co-workers, etc.) without their permission.
3.2.9. A significant part of the interaction on blogs, Twitter, and other social networks
involves passing on interesting content or linking to helpful resources. Don’t blindly
repost a link without looking at the content first.
A significant part of the interaction on blogs, Twitter, and other social networks involves passing
on interesting content or linking to helpful resources. Don’t blindly repost a link without looking
at the content first.
3.3. Netiquette
3.3.1. Users should always use the Internet, network resources, and online sites in a
courteous and respectful manner.
3.3.2. Users should also recognize that among the content online may be unverified,
incorrect, or inappropriate. Users should use trusted sources when conducting
research via the Internet.
3.3.3. Users should also remember not to post anything inappropriate. Once something is
online, it’s out there-and can sometimes be shared and spread in ways you never
intended.
3.3.4. If you see a message, comment, image, or anything else online that makes you
concerned for your personal safety, bring it to the attention of an adult (teacher or
staff if you’re at school; parent if you’re using the device at home) immediately.
3.3.5. Users should never share personal information, including phone number, address,
birthday, or financial information, over the Internet.
3.3.6. Users should recognize that communicating over the Internet brings anonymity and
associated risks, and should carefully safeguard the personal information of
themselves and others.

3.4. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying will not be tolerated. WPS has a zero-tolerance policy towards cyber bullying.
Harassing, dissing, flaming, denigrating, impersonating, and cyberstalking are all examples
of cyberbullying. Don’t be mean. Don’t send emails or post comments with the intent of
scaring, hurting, or intimidating someone else.

Engaging in these behaviors, or any online activities intended to harm (physically or

emotionally) another person, will result in severe disciplinary action and loss of privileges.

3.5. Examples of Acceptable Use

I will:

3.5.1. Follow the same guidelines for respectful, responsible behavior online that I am
expected to follow offline.
3.5.2. Treat social media carefully, and alert staff if there is any problem with their
operation.
3.5.3. Encourage positive, constructive discussion if allowed to use communicative or
collaborative technologies.
3.5.4. Alert a teacher or other staff member if I see threatening/bullying, inappropriate, or
harmful content (images, messages, posts) online.
3.5.5. Be cautious to protect the safety of myself and others.
3.5.6. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good
judgment when using social media.
3.6. Examples of Unacceptable Use
I will not:

3.6.1. Use social media in a way that could be personally or physically harmful to myself or
others.
3.6.2. Engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or disrespectful conduct toward others–staff or
students.
3.6.3. Try to find ways to circumvent the school’s safety measures and filtering tools.
3.6.4. Use language online that would be unacceptable in the classroom.
3.6.5. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Users should use their own good
judgment when using social media.

3.7. Misuse of Social Media

3.7.1. In case of Slander/Libel:
Any misuse of the social media tools to defame or slander anyone would bear severe
consequences, as mentioned under.
If any student is found using slanderous and libelous content against the school, teachers or
students, it should be brought to the attention of the Class Teacher and Supervisor
immediately.
Students will have the following action taken against them for their misconduct:
 First time violation will result in the student receiving an official written warning from
the school.
 The student’s parents will be informed by the Supervisor. The student is expected to
apologize to the person affected by this act.
 The student will be counselled.

3.7.2. In case of bullying fellow students on the online platforms:

The Ministry of Education (MoE) have strong regulations proposed for cyber bullying. If
students are found bullying their peers or juniors, action would be taken against them based
on the level of severity as mentioned under.
 If the student is found to indulge in cyberbullying, he/ she would be reported to the
Supervisor and Headmaster/ Headmistress/ Principal for the misconduct.
 The parents of the students will be duly informed.
 In case of repeat offence, the matter may be reported to MOE, and the concerned
student must perform a community service work within the school or as deemed fit by
MOE, under their regulation.

3.7.3. In case of plagiarism of content (pictorial or written):

Plagiarism is punishable by law and is a severe offence. All content published in the school’s
social media pages, Twitter handles, Pinterest pin board, Instagram and YouTube Channel
strictly belongs to WPS. Initially a statutory warning will be given to the student who
indulges in such an act. If the act is repeated, the matter will be escalated to the concerned
Supervisor.

3.7.4. Derogatory and unruly comments:

All stakeholders can communicate via social media; however, students, parents and teachers
must note that no derogatory or inflammatory remarks will be tolerated on the social media
platforms.
Any derogatory remark, if it comes under the category of slander, libel or defamation, would
mean that the stakeholder is trying to harm the reputation or defame the other party due to
any pre-set views or hidden malicious motives.

4. Evaluation and review

The policy is reviewed annually and/or whenever our regulatory and licensing bodies
namely CBSE, MoE or KHDA make changes in the regulations.

5. Definitions
KHDA- Knowledge and Human Development Authority
MoE- Ministry of Education
CBSE- Central Board of Secondary Education Stakeholders- Management,
school leaders, staff, students and parents as relevant.

6. References
 Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) guidelines
 The Ministry of Education guidelines

7. Cross Reference: WPS Policies

 ICT Policy
 WPS Cyber Security Policy

8. Effective and Revised Dates

This policy has been in effect from April 2018and revised on 31 March 2020.