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I live in San Diego County where we have had more than our share of inappropriate teacher/student relationships lately. In fact when I read this article I wondered if perhaps social networking might have been the catalyst for this sudden uptick in sexual relationships between students and teachers. I do think it's playing with fire. Teachers need to draw a big bright line in the sand that communicates that they are the teacher and while they care about a student's education and success, they are NOT your parent, your confidant, your therapist or doctor and most certainly NOT your lover. I think teachers put themselves at great risk being on these sites.

What's next -- "networking" with your Mom's boyfriend or your Dad's girlfriend? It's high time we started enforcing the social standards that have been in place for generations and which were put in place for good reason. Frankly, the behaviors I see these days in our teaching staff beg the question of whether or not they have good reason.
Although I essentially agree with Vicki, I would have to say that our teachers have, unfortunately, become the only source of moral training for our youth, a role expected in my generation of the parents and religious leaders (But that's another grave issue...), and that is a function I would not like to have removed from the teachers. In the same respect, however, that places great responsibility on the teachers NOT to socialize with the students and maintain a professional distance.
It's just best that these relationships be above-board at all times and not even suggest any degree of perversion, favoritism, or manipulation.

This is kind of a damned-if-you-do-and-damned-if-you-don't kind of situation.

First, teachers on Facebook, MySpace, or any other type of social network, really is inappropriate, and they are putting their careers and reputations at risk. As far as I'm concerned, teachers who want to socialize at the same level of their students should NOT be allowed to teach. As a teacher I am concerned about the morals of so many other teachers.

If teachers really do want to be in a place to help their students, let the schools set up a help line where students can go on line for help with a tough problem in a specific class. Or - for heaven's sake - make themselves available in the classroom instead running off to do errands or sit in the lounge.

Hey, teachers have it hard these days and I know they need their time to unwind and plan the next class, but too many are not making themselves available to their students during school hours.

As a retired teacher my vote is to stay away. Teachers used to be able to give their students a hug when they were sad or when they did something good. Not anymore, you can be accused of sexual harrasment. If you value your career, stay away from personal contacts of all kinds and become the more robotic professional our society desires.

It is a good thing to keep the lines of communication open----knowing the person/teacher/student aids in achieving higher learning, understanding, expectations, and goals.

A teacher at our local high school was just in the news for this exact situation. She was making arrangements for one of her male students to come to her house one evening. Had she not been on Face Book this would not have happened. It allows the students and teachers to have too familiar of a relationship. She consequently lost her job. Luckily, another student reported what was going on so the teacher and student never had an opportunity for the "get together" to occur.

I agree with all previous posts against social networking between teachers and students. Teachers are suppose to be professionals and as such should act like professionals. It is not their job or role to socially network with their students. Teaching, tutoring or mentoring students in a professional and caring manner is appropriate. Same goes for parents who try to be child's friend instead of their parent.

When I went to school the teachers worked with the students in the classroom.......and that is what should still be happening.This thing with Facebook turns it more into a social activity and makes it seem like the teacher wants to be the same age as the student.....grow up people.....you are not kids anymore you are adults....try acting like one.....teach at school and socialize with people your own age outside of the classroom......

After reading the pros and cons offered in the above comments, I have arrived at this thought: Teachers are meant to be authority figures, regardless of whether they are liked or loathed by their students. By communicating with their students on social networking websites, teachers will cause a breakdown in their status as someone whom their students should respect in an attempt to be buddies instead. Bottom line: teachers, if you feel the need to display yourselves on social networking sites, please set your profile as 'private' as to not allow the students to know you in any other way but for their instuctor.

and students. Teachers are suppose to be professionals and as such should act like professionals. It is not their job or role to socially network with their students. Teaching, tutoring or mentoring students in a professional and caring manner is appropriate. Same goes for parents who try to be child's friend instead louis vuitton