Linares Town Crier Appointment of 'TikTok Teacher' Sparks Privacy Backlash

The appointment of Álvaro Patón as the town crier for the Linares festivities has sparked a heated debate online, as reported by El Día. Known as the "TikTok teacher," Patón’s selection has reignited concerns on X regarding the ethics of sharing classroom content and the privacy of students.

The controversy stems from an incident two years ago while Patón was teaching in Tenerife. He gained a large following on Instagram and TikTok by posting videos about his classroom life. However, he faced significant backlash after sharing a video of a student’s emotional reaction to a grade. Many viewers felt he was trivializing the child’s distress, leading to intense public pressure and the eventual removal of the video.

While rumors circulated at the time that Patón was fired from the Tenerife school, he denied these claims, stating that his departure was due to personal reasons. Although the incident had largely faded from public memory, the Linares City Council’s decision to name him town crier has brought the issue back into the spotlight, with many questioning whether he is an appropriate choice for such an institutional role.

This situation highlights the ongoing tension between social media trends and professional responsibility in education. Spanish law strictly protects the privacy and image rights of minors, placing clear limits on how teachers can use student content online. The backlash serves as a reminder that a teacher’s digital footprint can have lasting consequences, fueling a broader discussion about professional reputation in the age of instant information.