New Missouri Law Bans Some Online Teacher, Student Friendships

Facebook friendships between some students and teachers will soon be illegal in Missouri.

A new law set to take effect on August 28 will ban some social media relationships between students and teachers. 

Under Senate Bill 54:

• Teachers cannot establish, maintain, or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian. 
• Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student. Former student is defined as any person who was at one time a student at the school at which the teacher is employed and who is eighteen years of age or less and who has not graduated.

Essentially, teachers in Missouri will not be able to connect privately on social media sites with students under 18. If students are under 18 but have graduated teachers can be online friends with them.

School districts have until January 1, 2012, to develop a written policy concerning teacher-student communication and employee-student communications. 

While the University City School District has a policy that addresses acceptable use of District technology and the Internet, it does not have a policy directly related to social media.

"With the new law, we will be adding a policy that addresses social media interactions," said Linda Russell Wesley, communications director for the U City School District.

Meanwhile, teachers from across the state have many questions about the law. Many have taken to the Missouri State Teachers Association Facebook page to look for answers. Click here to view the conversation going happening on the MSTA Facebook page.

State Senator Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, sponsored the bill.