Privacy Concerns in School Libraries

The prevalence of social media has created some unique challenges for school libraries. Students have and use a variety of digital devices, and frequently have internet access at school. Students frequently leave digital trails that school librarians, teachers, and administrators have access to. Students reveal personal information on social networking sites like twitter, facebook, or google+, without realizing who might have access to that information. Privacy measures need to be taught to students, making students aware of their digital footprint. School libraries are an excellent place to start this type of education. While many schools limit use of social media through acceptable use policies and filters, some schools have started teaching responsible use of the internet through directed curriculum. Education on social media frequently comes the hard way, when teens find that their information and privacy have been compromised. To prevent these situations, school libraries should take the initiative to educate students on privacy concerns.