"'Please Stop Teachers Doing Vlogs' Teacher YouTubers, What Do You Think?"

"Child's face fully visible..." Filming every move of school life
Korea Teachers' Union "Vlogs have positive aspects"
Experts "As long as it does not infringe on others' rights"

As vlogging content capturing the daily lives of active teachers has increased recently, a debate over 'teacher YouTubers' is taking place.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Recently, a heated debate has erupted over some teachers filming vlogs (videos capturing their daily lives) and posting them online.

While some argue that teachers' personal creative activities should not be restricted, others express concerns that these videos may expose students' personal information or degrade the quality of lessons. Experts emphasize that vlog activities should not infringe on the rights of others.

Recently, there has been an increase in vlog content on YouTube created by active public officials depicting their school life. These videos show teachers commuting to work, preparing lessons, interacting with students, eating school meals, and other aspects of how teachers live at school.

However, some parents have voiced concerns. They point out that teachers' vlogs expose students' faces, daily lives, and other personal information.

On the 20th, a post titled "Please stop teachers from filming school vlogs" was uploaded on the Blue House's public petition board. The petitioner stated, "If you search 'teacher vlog' on YouTube, you can see many teachers filming during class time," and added, "Many videos do not alter children's voices or blur their faces. Some even call students by their real names."

They continued, "The internet is a dangerous place filled with malicious comments, so exposing children there is very risky. I am also anxious that criminals who misuse personal information might learn the children's identities," and questioned, "Where is the dignity of being a teacher? More importantly, is this behavior appropriate for an educator in front of children?"

The petitioner acknowledged that "although consent is obtained from children and parents, teachers remain the authority figures in classrooms as long as the rolling admissions system exists," and noted, "Some children remain silent out of fear that it might negatively affect their school records (saenggibu)."

They added, "Allowing teachers to have a side job as YouTubers diverts attention from their primary role," and emphasized, "Instead of worrying about vlog subtitles, I hope teachers could focus on identifying which children are marginalized and who needs help."

In principle, the current National Public Officials Act prohibits public officials from engaging in profit-making activities. However, YouTube activities are allowed if approved by the school principal. The Ministry of Education's basic policy encourages educational YouTube activities with a public interest nature and does not regulate YouTube activities related to hobbies, leisure, or self-development, which fall under private life.

Nevertheless, many students and parents express concerns about teachers' YouTube activities. A netizen with an elementary school child said, "Even if children's faces are blurred, I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing videos showing my child's appearance or daily life are circulating online," and admitted, "I also suspect that teachers might not be fully focused on lessons or the children."

On the other hand, there are claims that teachers' vlogs have positive aspects. The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations released a statement on the 23rd, saying, "School vlogs serve as a means of communication between teachers and students in the current untact (contactless) environment," and emphasized, "They also have the positive function of sharing information about teaching life with colleagues and prospective teachers, reflecting on lessons and work performance, and enhancing professionalism."

They added, "Instead of outright banning teacher vlogs, reasonable guidelines should be established regarding production purposes, content, and procedures, and production activities should be conducted within those limits," and stated, "Since school vlogs have positive aspects, it is necessary to set guidelines to preserve their educational intent rather than prohibit them."

Experts stress that teachers' vlog activities must not infringe on others' rights.

Kim Hyoshin, a labor attorney at Sonamu Labor Law Office, pointed out, "While the rights of teachers filming YouTube videos with school consent are important, those rights must not infringe on others' interests. Moreover, even aside from the Personal Information Protection Act, having one's face appear and circulate online can be unsettling for some."

She added, "Minimizing filming to only students who have given consent and ensuring that others are blurred so they cannot be identified is the best way to reduce such controversies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.