The Case for Social Media Screening of U.S. Teachers—Lessons from California and the UK

Teacher misconduct, particularly sexual misconduct, remains a critical issue jeopardizing student safety in American schools. A stark comparison between California and the United Kingdom reveals a troubling disparity: California revokes teaching credentials for sex-related offenses at a rate nearly eight times higher per teacher than the UK bans educators for similar crimes. While California averages 60 revocations annually, the UK sees just 17.5 bans, despite employing nearly twice as many teachers. The UK’s incorporation of social media screening in its vetting process offers a plausible explanation—and a compelling case for the U.S. to adopt similar measures. Yet, resistance persists, notably from employment attorneys who often prioritize shielding schools over protecting students, underscoring the urgency for change.

California vs. the UK: A Tale of Two Systems

The data paints a clear picture. California, with 307,470 teachers and a population of 39 million, recorded 484 credential revocations for sex-related misconduct from 2013 to 2020—60 per year. That equates to 1.54 cases per million people or 0.000195 per teacher annually. The UK, with 569,986 teachers and 67.8 million residents, banned 70 teachers for sexual misconduct between 2016 and 2019, averaging 17.5 per year—0.258 cases per million people or 0.0000307 per teacher. California’s per-teacher rate is approximately six times higher, a gap that demands scrutiny.

In 2018, California’s Teacher Credentialing Commission processed 5,895 misconduct cases of all types, the highest in a decade, signaling a systemic challenge. The UK, by contrast, maintains consistently lower rates. A key difference lies in vetting practices, particularly the UK’s use of social media screening, which may contribute to its success in curbing misconduct.

The UK’s Proactive Strategy: Social Media Screening

Since 2022, the UK’s Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance has advised schools to review the public social media profiles of shortlisted teaching candidates. Overseen by the Teaching Regulation Agency, this practice supplements traditional background checks by identifying potential red flags—such as inappropriate online behavior—that might indicate a risk to students. While the policy’s full impact post-2022 remains under evaluation, the UK’s historically lower misconduct rates suggest that its comprehensive approach, now enhanced by social media checks, is effective. The logic is straightforward: public online activity can reveal character traits or patterns that standard criminal checks miss, offering a preventive layer of protection.

California’s Persistent Problem

California’s vetting process, limited to fingerprint-based criminal background checks, lacks this additional safeguard. The result is evident in its elevated misconduct rates—60 annual revocations for sex-related offenses, alongside broader estimates that 10% of U.S. public school students encounter educator misconduct by graduation. High-profile incidents, such as the 2023 arrest of a California “Teacher of the Year” on 14 child sexual abuse charges, highlight the issue’s severity. Compounding the problem is the practice of “passing the trash,” where accused teachers transfer to new schools without disclosure—a failure that stricter vetting, including social media screening, could help address.

Resistance from Employment Attorneys

Despite the clear need, implementing social media screening faces opposition, notably from employment attorneys. Many argue that such measures infringe on privacy or expose schools to legal risks, such as discrimination claims. This stance often seems more focused on protecting institutional interests—shielding districts from liability or lawsuits—than safeguarding students. While privacy concerns warrant discussion, the UK’s model, which limits checks to public content, demonstrates a balanced approach. Attorneys’ reluctance to embrace more rigorous vetting contrasts sharply with the urgent need to prioritize child safety over administrative convenience, raising questions about whose interests are truly being served.

A National Imperative

California’s eightfold higher misconduct rate compared to the UK is not an isolated issue—it’s a national concern. The U.S. employs over 3 million teachers, yet no federal mandate requires social media screening. The UK’s lower rates and proactive strategy provide a blueprint for reducing incidents here. With public social media already reflecting choices educators make visible to the world, incorporating it into hiring processes is a reasonable step for a profession entrusted with children’s well-being. The cost of inaction—measured in student harm—far outweighs the legal or logistical hurdles critics cite.

A Call to Action

The evidence is compelling: California’s elevated misconduct rates underscore a vetting gap that the UK’s social media screening helps fill. To align with global best practices and protect students, the U.S. must adopt this measure nationwide, starting with states like California where the need is most acute. Overcoming resistance from employment attorneys, who too often prioritize schools’ legal exposure over children’s safety, is essential. It’s time to shift the focus where it belongs—on prevention and protection. Our students deserve a system that leverages every tool available to keep them safe.

Sources:

Voice of San Diego: “California Is Juggling More Teacher Misconduct Cases Than Ever” (2019)

Corsiglia McMahon & Allard: “List of California Teachers with Revoked Credentials for Sex Crimes”

The Independent: “Record numbers of teachers banned for sexual misconduct” (2017)

UK Government: “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (2022)

Ed-Data: “Teachers in California”

GOV.UK: “School workforce in England” (2023)

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