Social Media Policy
The Graphic & Interior Design School is interested in your welfare and uses the Social Media Policy to help you have a healthier online experience. Social Media - applies to blogs, personal websites, online portfolios, RSS feeds, postings on interactive sites, such as, but not limited to: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Bloggers, Instagram, Instant Messaging, texting, and postings on video or picture-sharing sites and elsewhere on the Internet. Students should know that what they post online can result in a permanent digital record which contributes to their online identity. You cannot control posted data once it is on a website. Once something is online, it can be shared over the Internet in ways you did not necessarily intended.
GIDS values the use of technology to connect students, assist in collaboration between students and to create an online forum for the benefit of all participants. It is recognised that students may be required to use social media as part of their assessed course of study. GIDS acknowledge the importance of online communication, e-learning and social media networks as a learning tool. The school also recognise the value of open sharing, diversity of opinion, and civil debate. Anybody is free to talk about the School on social media sites but students should avoid posting any communications which might be misinterpreted in a way that could damage the school’s character, academic standing, and compliance within the law. Do not post or comment on post anything which may bring the school into disrepute or compromise the safety or reputation of colleagues, former colleagues, students, staff and all those connected with GIDS. Always be accountable, responsible, careful, respectable and cautious when sharing all information when posting anything online. Online engagement with people outside of the community should be selective.
If a student wishes to complain about any inappropriate posting of content, which identifies the School, they should put their complaint in writing. Thereafter the directors will investigate the matter to ascertain what action, if any, may be appropriate, which may include referring the matter to be dealt with under a different procedure. Students are personally responsible for what they communicate on or through social media and they must adhere to the guidelines described in this policy and the GIDS Privacy Policy. Always check the terms and conditions of a social media account and/or website before uploading material to it; by posting material to social media accounts and/or websites, you may be releasing ownership rights and control of the content.
When using social media, students are expected to communicate considerately and appropriately, just as they would in person. Do not say defamatory things about people or organisations; including images, that is threatening, intimidating, aggressive, harassing, humiliating, discriminatory, illegal, explicit, offensive, or hostile towards any individual or entity. What is inappropriate in any conversation or other learning environments is also inappropriate online. Refrain from posting details of complaints and/or legal proceedings/potential legal proceedings involving GIDS. Never give out personal information about another individual, including contact information, without their express permission. Respect the rights and privacy of other students, staff or third parties. Social media should not be used for accessing or sharing illegal content. Do not use comments posted using fake accounts or using another person’s name without their consent.
If a student is approached by a media contact about content on a site relating to the GIDS they should contact the school’s Marketing Director before taking any action. GIDS reserves the right to monitor, intercept and review within the law, without further notice, student activities using its IT resources and communications systems, including but not limited to social media postings, to ensure that its rules are being complied with and such activities are for legitimate purposes. If GIDS detect violations of the Social Media Policy the School reserves the right to issue warnings, enforce disciplinary action, suspend or block individual access to GIDS Social media platforms and in extreme cases initiate police involvement.