The Department of Education (DepEd) has cautioned its educators and administrative staff that maintaining personal social media accounts does not exempt them from adhering to professional and ethical conduct standards.
The warning was issued following several reports regarding online content shared by school personnel that potentially violated the agency’s professional code.
In an August 11 memorandum, Education Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Fatima Lipp Panontongan urged all DepEd employees to demonstrate prudence, discretion, and professionalism in their online interactions.
“This Office has received reports of social media posts involving teachers and other school personnel that may not be consistent with the standards of professionalism expected of DepEd personnel,” Panontongan stated.
“These reports highlight the need to exercise appropriate judgment and responsibility in the use of social media, particularly where online activities involve learners, classroom activities, school premises, or otherwise arise from the performance of official functions,” she added.
The education department stressed that ethical obligations persist regardless of whether content is posted from private accounts.
“The use of personal social media accounts does not, by itself, dispense with the professional and ethical standards applicable to DepEd personnel, particularly where the content is connected with the performance of their official functions, identifies or represents them as DepEd personnel, or involves learners, school activities, or school premises,” Panontongan said.
Consequently, personnel who interact directly with students have been urged to exercise heightened caution when publishing material featuring learners or classroom environments.
DepEd emphasized that educators occupy positions of trust and wield significant influence over young minds.
“Thus, they are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and to exercise sound professional judgment where content features learners under their supervision or makes use of classroom activities or school premises,” said Panontongan.
Additionally, staff members were reminded to remain vigilant regarding their posts to safeguard the agency’s overall reputation and integrity.
DepEd highlighted relevant policies governing personnel conduct, including DepEd Order No. 049, series of 2022, which outlines guidelines for responsible social media usage, and Order No. 006, series of 2026, which mandates child protection measures in both physical and digital settings.
The 2026 directive specifically prohibits the unauthorized disclosure, access, or sharing of students’ personally identifiable information on online platforms.