Social Networks and Workplace Risk: Classroom Scenarios from a U.S. and EU Perspective

To read the introduction to my article,  click here or see below: 

Social Networks and Workplace Risk: Classroom Scenarios from a U.S. and EU Perspective

Cite: Perry Binder and Nancy R. Mansfield, Social Networks and Workplace Risk: Classroom Scenarios from a U.S. and EU Perspective, 30 J. Legal Stud. Educ. 1

Introduction

The explosion of social networks and the growing concern over privacy in the digital age—both in the United States and Europe—have provided an opportunity to introduce students to the legal risks of using social media in the workplace. In general, the U.S. legal system views privacy as a legal right, while member states of the European Union (EU) view privacy as a human right. In fact, the EU Directive on Data Protection of 1995 mandates that each EU member state create a Data Protection Authority to protect each citizen's privacy rights and investigate breaches. However, novel transborder legal issues have complicated protection of privacy rights in the twenty-first century, as EU nations attempt to balance cherished privacy with the free speech evidenced on U.S.-based social networks.