A Legal Perspective on Social Media Use and Employment: Lessons for South African Educators
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2019/v22i0a5778Keywords:
Educators, Employment, Legal perspective, Social mediaAbstract
Abstract
In this article, the author provides a legal perspective on the interplay between social media use and employment. The unique characteristics of social media are identified in order to frame the article before a number of considerations with regard to employment relationships that impact on deciding social media misconduct cases are deliberated upon. Thereafter, the author reflects on the implications of social media transgressions for educators' professions and contemplates the forms that social media misconduct by South African educators can take, with specific focus on defamation. Before the article reaches its conclusion, social media evidence and the impact of the unique characteristics of social media on users' legitimate expectations of privacy are also considered. The article concludes with a few guidelines on how educators can avoid the pitfalls that make social media use potentially hazardous to their employment.
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List of Abbreviations
Am J Pharm Educ American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
Asia Pac J Hum Resour Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources
CARSA Child Abuse Research South Africa
CCMA Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration
CILSA Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa
ELRC Education Labour Relations Council
FDCC Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
GTC General Teaching Council
Inf Commun Soc Information, Communication and Society
Iowa L Rev Iowa Law Review
JCMC Journal of Computer-mediated Communication
JILT Journal of Information, Law & Technology
Learn Media Technol Learning, Media and Technology
MALR Media and Arts Law Review
N Ky L Rev Northern Kentucky Law Review
NDDP National Director of Public Prosecutions
PELJ Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal
Rich J L & Tech Richmond Journal of Law and Technology
SA Merc LJ South African Mercantile Law Journal
SACE South African Council for Educators
SAJLR South African Journal of Labour Relations
SALJ South African Law Journal
Val U L Rev Valparaiso University Law Review
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