A secondary education leader says teachers' inappropriate use of social media platforms is at fault -- not the tool itself

A student who was groomed and sexually abused by her teacher is calling for teachers to be banned from talking to students on social media.

Secondary Principals Association President Vaughan Couillault says the adult using it inappropriately is the problem.

He says there's been inappropriate behaviour from adults towards younger people for generations -- using paper and words -- but the medium hasn't been instantly banned.

Couillault says there needs to be systems, rules, guidance and advice in place to ensure teachers act appropriately.