Shifting the Focus: Students Targeting Educators Through Online Social Media

The purpose of this research study is to address the question of "In what ways can Canadian educators address student social media abuse aimed at instructors?" To this end, this study works to identify concerns that Canadian teachers have surrounding the possibility of being negatively targeted by students through online social media, and provides practical strategies in how to deal with this issue as educators within the classroom. This qualitative study was based on semi-structured interviews with two Canadian teachers who drew upon their own experiences, opinions, and concerns about this issue. The conclusion of this study was that teachers have multiple proactive strategies, including discussion and debate within the classroom, as well as reactive measures, such as enlisting administrative support, to utilize while addressing the potential issue of educators being negatively targeted by students through online social media