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Back to school

Alexandra Rockey Fleming TODAY contributor

13 hours ago

Should teachers and students be friends of the Facebook variety? Should they text, tweet, snap or gram each other?

Parents want to know where the boundaries should be when it comes to educators and students using technology to communicate.

Tara Paige feels fine about digital communication. The Arlington, Texas, entrepreneur and mother of eight says her children sometimes use technologysuch as texts and social mediato correspond with their teachers and coaches. Im OK with texting one-on-one, she says. I believe in writing because it serves as documentation. And social media is a way for teachers to be leaders and role models with their students. It takes a village.

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Teens will text...but should they text their teachers?

Meanwhile, Stefani McNair has tried to think of a reason why her kids and their teachers should connect via texts or social media, but she cant. I dont think any circumstances warrant students and teachers communicating that way, says the Oakton, Virginia, designer and mother of two teens. I think theres great potential for the lines of respect and influence to get fuzzy.

Considering that 95 percent of teens are online, according to the Pew Research Internet Projects national survey of teens and parents, and 81 percent use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, its understandable that technology is a convenient way for teachers to connect with students.

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Social media boundaries: Should teachers and students be 'friends'?