A Co Down school suspended three pupils after classroom recordings of their teacher taken without her knowledge, were shared on Instagram.
The children, two boys and a girl aged 12, were each suspended as part of disciplinary action by the school principal.
The school took the action to ensure the pupils understood the potential consequences of their on-line presence.
The school was alerted to the recording of the videos and publication of social media by an other pupil.
And the three children in question and their parents apologised for the incident that happened in December 2019.
The school principal said the incident would be used as part of a “learning curve” for the youngsters.
He told Belfast Live: “The pupils thought it was funny and had no real idea of the potential consequences of their actions.
“In the first place they broke the rules we have in school about mobile phones. They are allowed to carry them to and from the property but they must be switched off inside school premises.
“A female teacher was recorded teaching and the footage was posted on Instagram and the children thought this was a funny thing to do.
“An other pupil reported what had happened and we took action to ensure the posts were removed and sanctions taken against the children with a full explanation of why their were being disciplined.
“As a school we received letters and face-to-face apologies from those involved and we're firm in our belief the children do now understand what they did was not an acceptable for a number of reasons.
“When I was a schoolboy we'd no worries about social media or Instagram or mobile phones so the temptation to break the rules was non existent.
“This situation brought into focus for everyone just how something intended to be a harmless joke can unfold when it hits social media.
“The situation was used to help educate everyone involved and allow us once again to tell our pupils and their families of the potential pitfalls of social media and of breaking the rules laid down.
"Hopefully discussing this matter will help other schools and families discuss how they approach the modern world we are bring our children up in and where the pitfalls lie."
The pupils were permitted to return to class after each serving a two day suspension.
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