The Education Ministry will be reviewing its social media policy with a new code of conduct.

In a statement the Ministry of Education says it will be calling on the Online Safety Commission to better educate its employees and students on best practices to protect their privacy on social media.

It also stressed that the Ministry’s social media policy is not intended to inhibit teachers’ freedom of association.

It adds that the policy is intended to protect students and teachers from online abuse such as bullying, and in the case of students, from possible pedophiles who are able to hide their real identities.

The Ministry says that it fully appreciates the positive potential of social media in enabling productive engagement between teachers, students and parents in the nation’s schools.

The Education Ministry says they remain committed to leveraging the accessibility of social media to help further the education of our children, maintain communication channels with parents and protect the best interests of teachers and safety of students.

It has also highlighted that with appropriate checks in place, teachers can maximise online platforms to establish professional relationships and direct lines of communication with parents and other teachers.