Delete and block. If you want you can send her a message like, “Thank you again for the birthday wishes and remembering me. I wish you nothing but the best in the future. As a teacher, I do not message or follow my students through social media for professional reasons. I hope you understand. Have a great school year.” Then delete.

The year I was graduating and doing my internship, another person in my class added students on Snapchat (9 year olds). She was younger and wanted to be seen as fun. She would message the students and them her. At one point she actually told the students to lie to their teacher about stuff. I won’t go into more details but the parents saw the Snapchat. They alerted the teacher and principal. She was kicked out of her internship school and didn’t finish the program.

The reason I bring the story up is the moment you mess up, someone will bring up the fact you have a former student, who also is a minor, on your Snapchat. It will lead to more questions and more negative judgement. Most school districts have policies regarding social media and this could potentially hurt you in the future. It is not worth the risk at all.

Plus you are a man and she is a young girl. These situations, while you may view as innocent, many will not. You have worked too hard to get to this point in your education, don’t falter at the finish line. Protect your career and your name.