Kids face expulsion from school if their PARENTS troll teachers online
Aberdeen City Council issued the stark warning after parents named teachers in complaints about schools on Facebook
PUPILS face being expelled from school if their PARENTS post abusive comments on Facebook.
Aberdeen City Council issued the stark warning after a number of school staff were named in public posts.
The council's legal department warned it could launch criminal prosecutions against parents for posting abusive or offensive comments.
And it said trolling “may also result in their child being excluded from school due to the actions of their parents.”
Headteachers were told they can ban a kid if one of their parents breaks school rules, or if the child’s continued attendance would be “seriously detrimental to order and discipline”.
The council warning says: “There have been a number of incidents recently where parents have posted entries on Facebook regarding issues relating to pupils and/or staff.
"Parents are reminded that Facebook is a public forum and that posts made may reach a wider audience than intended.
“Parents should also be aware that making abusive or offensive comments can result in the imposition of civil and/or criminal sanctions and may also result in their child being excluded from school due to the actions of their parents.
“It is therefore not appropriate to be discussing issues on Facebook and any issues can be discussed and resolved by contacting the school directly.”
Parents and local politicians were outraged by the threat letter - but it was backed by a teaching union.
Dad Martin Macdonald, of Bucksburn, Aberdeen, said: “It’s quite ridiculous. Children shouldn’t be missing out because of their parents’ actions.”
Shop worker and mum Christine Dines said: “It’s a bit extreme and the kids shouldn’t be punished for this.”
Minister and father-of-two Barry Douglas, from Bridge of Don, said: “We live in a world of social media where things happen quickly, so it could be a heat of the moment thing of frustration where a parent has a rant.”
The council’s Liberal Democrat education spokesman Martin Greig said: “Parents have a right and a duty to express their views about their child’s education.
“If there are any concerns or questions these need to be encouraged and taken seriously.
“The council should not try and stop parents from giving comments. Their attitude is setting up barriers instead of building up trust.”
It’s understood teachers were concerned by posts in which members of parenting groups complained about school facilities.
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Ron Constable of the EIS union said: “It is particularly troubling that this abuse is being conducted where children and young people are able to witness this behaviour including inappropriate language and intimidation.
“The abuse of members over social media is a major concern for the EIS in Aberdeen and we have experienced a significant increase in the number of members seeking advice about this issue.”
The city council said: “The council’s policy, which has been in place for a number of years, states that the inappropriate use of social media by either pupil or parent making derogatory comments in relation to a pupil, staff member or school is likely to lead to exclusion.
“We always encourage parents to use social media responsibly and we would only consider exclusion as a last resort.”
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