BRANSON, Mo. -- Can students and teachers be friends -- or, rather, Facebook friends?  That's a question that school districts face as social networking goes viral.

Even at the junior high level, students say they spend anywhere from one to two hours a day online, and a lot of that time is spent at social networking sites like Facebook.  That fact isn't lost on their teachers. 

"Social networking is the number-one way students 14 and older communicate," said Lori Elliott, Nixa School District's Technology Teacher on Special Assignment.  The school district developed her job in the last couple years to help deal with the quickly-changing online environment.

"We started using Facebook, Twitter, Wikis, and blogs to help them in class," said Elliott.  "It's a great tool."

Deciphering the difference between toy and tool is falling into the laps of districts everywhere. It's grown to the point that entire conferences are dedicated to the topic.  One addressing school public relations officials is ongoing in Branson this week.

"I'm preaching the gospel of using social media as another public relations tool," said social media expert Evelyn McCormack.

Springfield and Nixa district set up their own social networks.

"We are on Facebook and Twitter to get that transparency," said Josey McPhail of the Springfield district.

Branson, however, has taken a different approach.

"Currently, we don't allow any Facebook and Twitter.  I do think it's something that's coming for school districts," said Brenda Romine of the Branson district.

For those where it's already arrived, the issue becomes determining where to draw the line.

"You can use these tools to enhance your relationship with them but it's still just professional."  That's the rule in Ozark, says Curtis Chesick.

As far as policies regarding just how teachers and students interact online, many districts have added to their existing technology policies, instructing teachers to keep everything at a professional level.  That's the rule in Nixa, Ozark, and Springfield, particularly when it comes to "friending" students.  They add this is all subject to change.  This is a new topic for them in just the last couple years.