Quakertown School Board discusses social media comment policy adjustments

In a recent meeting of the Quakertown Community School District's Education and Policy Committee, significant discussions centered around the management of social media accounts and the implications of comment moderation. The committee addressed the challenges posed by Facebook's recent changes, which have limited the district's ability to disable comments on posts, raising concerns about misinformation and inappropriate content.

The committee learned that the option to completely turn off comments on Facebook pages has been removed, forcing the district to rely on keyword filters to manage comments. This has led to situations where comments are blocked without clear visibility to users, prompting questions from the community about the transparency of the commenting process. Members expressed a desire to balance open communication with the need to protect students and the community from harmful language.

One committee member emphasized the importance of allowing public discourse, arguing that social media should serve as a two-way communication tool rather than a one-sided announcement platform. However, others pointed out that most posts are informational and do not invite public commentary, suggesting that the primary purpose of these accounts is to disseminate factual information rather than engage in dialogue.

The discussion also highlighted the need for clearer policies regarding what types of comments would be filtered out. Suggestions were made to define acceptable language and to ensure that the community understands the rationale behind comment moderation. The committee debated whether to maintain the current policy of disabling comments or to allow them with specific guidelines in place.

Additionally, the committee discussed the oversight of district-owned social media accounts, noting that there is currently no comprehensive list of these accounts. A proposal was made to implement periodic reviews to ensure that the district is aware of all accounts using its name and to maintain control over the content shared.

In conclusion, the committee's discussions reflect a broader concern about the role of social media in educational settings and the need for policies that foster community engagement while safeguarding against misinformation and inappropriate content. The next steps will involve refining the social media policy and establishing clearer guidelines for comment moderation, ensuring that the district can effectively communicate with its stakeholders while maintaining a safe online environment.