Cyber -bullying and the Educator
As educators throughout this nation, we have to be aware of both traditional bullying and new technology-driven cyber bullying,"
In recent weeks, national news stories have chronicled the cruel phenomenon and its sometimes deadly results.
A lot of schools have character education programs.
Teachers, parents and administrators try to stress personal character, (for example) treating others as you expect to be treated.
Preston Threatt, principal for Manning High School in Clarendon 2, said his staff also talks to students about how to avoid bullying. They offer suggestions such as only going places where adults are around and taking a friend.
Rizzo said bullying usually occurs when the teachers are not around, and that is why they have to rely on student and parent reports.
But not every misbehavior is bullying.
"We're very sensitive to bullying," said Fred Moulton, headmaster at Wilson Hall. "It's not tolerated. Sometimes, (though), kids say and do things to other kids that is not bullying even though it is mean and cruel."
Sumter 2, for instance, defines bullying as "a gesture, electronic communication, or a written, verbal, physical or sexual act reasonably perceived to have the effect of either of the following:
- harming a student physically or emotionally or damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage
- insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of a school."The definition takes in face-to-face bullying and also cyber-bullying.
Although bullies in cyberspace are 'cowards' hiding behind their anonymity, their actions can be curtailed. One of the most important things to do is NOT to respond to the bully.
- DO NOT answer emails
- DO NOT play into the hands of the bully.
- DO NOT respond to the post.
- DO NOT engage in chat rooms
- DO NOT copy what the bully does. IGNORE the bully and get help from parents or teachers.
Federal Law including the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires elementary and secondary schools that receive federal e-rate and technology funding to install and use filtering or blocking technology. My school district uses a filtering software known as Lightspeed to help filter offensive sites.This is in hope that students will be protected from the ever-rising bullies in cyber space. I'd like to share with you ten ways I uncovered during my research, of how we can rid our schools of cyber-bullying.
- Formally assess the extent and scope of thr problem through surveys and data.
- Teach students that ALL forms of bullying is unacceptable.
- Specify clear rules regarding internet use by posting signs and posters around the school community.
- Institute peer mentoring to promote positive interactions.
- Consult with school attorneys BEFORE incidents occur.
- Create a comprehensive formal contract specific to cyber-bullying in the school's handbook.
- Implement blocking/filtering software on the school's computer network. Bear in mind that this Net-Generation can find ways around some of these programs.
- Cultivate a positive school climate.
- Educate the community - conduct parenting and teacher workshops on cyber-bullying.
- Designate a cyber-bullying expert at school responsible for educating the populace on the dangers of cyberbullying.
In my readings, I came across some very interesting information as it relates to Cyber bullying. On the Cyber bullying Research Center website, they listed all the states cyber bullying laws. They listed a brief overview of laws and policies existing in each state. The chart reported under the following categories: (whether or not the states have in place) bullying law, Updated or law proposed, include “cyber-bullying”, include electronic harassment, criminal sanction, school sanction or requires school policy. More information on each state can be found at http://www.cyberbullying.us/cyberbullying_state_laws.php .
There is so much to be found out there on cyber-bullying and how it relates to educators in each state. The saddest part of my research for me was the videos I found where children ended their lives because of cyber-bullying. I hope a solution will be found soon to stem this new scourge in our society. http://www.youtube.com/embed/HFsfDLCkfQU?rel=0
Additional information may be found at:
http:www.cyberbully.org
http:www.stopcyberbullying.org
Credits for information shared:
Being parents makes it more difficult for us, I think. Maybe not, I dont know, but all I know is that, it makes me so sad to see what those students had to go through not to mention the families after the death. As I have said before, anonymous is the part that gets to me. If you want to be a bully, you need to man up and stop from hiding behind the 'anonymous'. This gets to me so bad. Some of he persons need to look into themselves and try to be nice to others and treat them the way they want to be treated. Anyway, "easier said than done" It is so strange that the 'victim' can turn and become the the 'bully', but it does happen strangely. We all put up a defense when we are faced in certain situations.
ReplyDeleteTrust me girl, that was the hardest part for me too when I see all those pretty girls committing suicide. Too sad!!! Great post
That's what hit me the most Allette and so you know I was crying through some of these videos. I try as a parent to really be aware of what my kids are doing re the internet and also to have a good relationship with my son who is a teenager that he knows he can always talk to me about issues. One of the difficulties is that these kids felt backed into a corner with no way out. SAD!
ReplyDeleteI know you parents have a tough job of monitoring your children and as they grow in this technological age (the Net Generation) it is becoming more and more difficult. You talk about the anonimity the bullies have when they hide in cyberspace, but most, if not all the time the child will know who is bullying him/her.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the parents of the children who are bullies feel. I know, like you they try to do thier best and raise thier children well, but, where do the need or the desire to bully come from?
I just have to wonder.
It is sad that we all live in fear with the possibility of being slandered. Many parents are not at home because they need to work to provide what is needed, some other parents are at home but do not see what their kids are doing, and some other parents should not be home for the sake of their own kids. Anyway, the access to the Internet, cell phones or any electronic devise must be supervised and permitted only to educational or wholesome programs/movies; although they are scarce.
ReplyDeleteI was touched as you guys when I viewed the materials on cyberbullying and the extreme to which they went.
ReplyDeleteIt gives parents one more thing to worry about as we try to protect our children. Educators do have their role to play. However, as a parent I will continue to do my best to monitor and protect my child as the various technological tools are utilized for school and/or personal activities.
Without a doubt this has been the most emotional part of the course that we have done so far. Can you imagine your students and your own children living in fear because of the internet or must I say social networks. I was also touched when I did my readings on Cyber bullying it made me nervous. I was moved to tears after watching the videos and readings. I felt your compassion and concerns through your post. You did a good job!!! Let us continue to keep those families in our minds who have been victims of cyber bullying.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your post Janet. Can imagine a teen waking up each day being harassed using a web 2.0 tool. These net-gen natives spend most of their time using these tools and to have a fear to check your mail because you will see something bad is hard. It is really a touching topic as Sashoi said.
ReplyDeleteVery englighten post. I specifically like the tips/ suggestions you gave on how to combat the problem of cyber bullying. Its so sad that technology can be used in such a negative when it its such a powerful tool that can be used for learning both inside and outside the classroom.
ReplyDeleteYour post has plenty of elements so as to establish a well thought of anti-cyberbullying protocol in schools. It is incredible how our schools have changed so much in less than two decades! We have the internet and a creek of net generation kids who need explicit instruction on its use, its dangers and its capabilities! Great task to overtake, thanks for your recomendations, definitely I will have them in mind as future administrator!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post...and excellent comments by all as well. I hope Sashoi and others understand that I felt it is important to really explore these emotional components of the web if we are to effectively lead our schools in the future. I know that this has been tough on some of you, but awareness of the issue is part of the issue.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned one thing I have not seen from others but think might be part of the solution, and that is peer mentoring. Several schools have started programs where older kids mentor younger kids on the dangers of the web. That holds promise, I think.
As you have said Janet these N-gen learners are some of our bullies.They are skilled in getting around some of the blocks the districts spend implement.
ReplyDeleteIt is very heartrending to know that cyberbulling has caused some students to end their lives.
As teachers it is important to have that trusting relationship with students (it may save a life)
Love the 10 step approach, also teach kids to be tech smart ( the what to dos and the what not to do )