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The real issue, of course, is not social media but learning.  Specifically, the fact that our schools are disconnected from young learners and how their learning practices are evolving.  The decision to block social media is inconsistent with how students use social media as a powerful node in their learning network.  Can social media be a distraction in the classroom?  Absolutely.  Will some students access questionable content if given the opportunity?  Yes.  But many students use social media to enhance their learning, expand the reach of the classroom, find the things they ‘need to know,’ and fashion their own personal learning networks.

Because social media is such a big part of many students social lives, cultural identities, and informal learning networks schools actually find themselves grappling with social media everyday but often from a defensive posture—reacting to student disputes that play out over social media or policing rather than engaging student’s social media behaviors.

"To my knowledge, no other district in our area allows access to Facebook," Mr. Gregory said. "I think the district needs to take a proactive approach. Today it's Facebook, a few months from now there could be something else that comes up."

The protests were sparked by a Canton high school social studies teacher who wanted his students to use their own Facebook page as a way to interact with each other for academic-related discussions

Opponents of that move argued the site can pose safety risks, wastes time and exposes students to unmonitored advertising messages.