Are teachers meant to be using WhatsApp to discuss my DS

[PETRONELLAS]

Job-share with various other adults involved. Teacher said ‘we let eachother know about DS’s medication issue on WhatsApp. It works really well as we all read it’. I really though GDPR would not allow this and think it’s quite unprofessional. AIBU?

Yep. I did a job share for years, pre today's tech. We had a large A3 planner left in or on the desk. In hindsight, anyone could have seen it and read it. Pupils included.

Paranoia the destroyer

There is nothing paranoid about the fact that your data is not safe with Facebook.

I use Signal as well.

It is when it’s about how much Calpol a mystery child has had.

Post it notes and e-mails! You must all be a lot younger than I am! :-)

Well yes. But many people have said that WhatsApp is super safe and fine to use for everything.

WhatsApp is fine in this context assuming it has been audited and approved by the DPO.

In this context yes.
But don’t think that it’s all secure etc.
Secure from others, yes. Secure from data harvesting by Facebook then no.

they need to have professional systems in place

Face to face - required both/all staff members to be together with time to stop and talk - means delay in information sharing; required people to remember the passed on information, could lead to errors when forgetting (easily done in a busy environment)

Notepad and pen, kept in classroom - definitely open to being seen by others, inc parents and volunteers, little security involved. Only seen when the next member of staff comes into classroom and finds chance to read it -- delay in information sharing

Email - still accessible on staff computers and personal devices; whilst they will be password protected reality is that most schools (and many other businesses too not just schools) don't have to enter the password every time to access so anyone using the computer could access it. Also not necessarily seen until a much later date when the teacher logs on and checks. If on phone/device may at least get a notification of a new mail. Password protected hopefully but definitely still open to being seen by others.

Which system do you prefer? Which would make you most happy, and most likely to ensure everyone manages your child's medication needs best?