Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is intentional and repeated harm through a technology device. Anyone can be a victim of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be posting cruel remarks to damage someone’s reputation to threatening violet behavior toward someone. Around 37% of students from 12-17 say they have been bullied online and 88% of teens surveyed say they have seen cruel or mean behavior. As educators, we are at the forefront of this battle.
Everyone should be educated about cyberbullying, especially our youth. The first step in education is to survey students to find out the impact cyberbullying is having on students in your school. After identifying the type and amount of cyberbullying in your area, you must educate. Show students, parents and staff real life examples of online occurrences that have caused social, emotional, and legal consequences. Because posting comments online happens so quickly and easily, many people will unintentionally make private information public. Students need to be taught to think before they post to avoid unintended results.
Building a positive school environment where students learn to respect others for their differences is the most important undertaking. Creating an environment where students positively connect and interact with other students and teachers building trusting relationships. Teaching and enforcing rules about positive online activity will help student learn how to interact appropriately online. Teachers and parents need to be positive role models. Students will learn what they are taught and shown, but they cannot learn anything that they are not shown.
Adults should know the warning signs to identify a student who is being bullied. It is important to be open and honest with our children. We must have real conversations with our young adults to help them navigate the rough waters of adolescence. By educating teachers, parents, and students, we can help protect our youth to insure a better online tomorrow.
Resources:
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2015). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin$h.
Stop Bullying Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2020, from https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Everyone should be educated about cyberbullying, especially our youth. The first step in education is to survey students to find out the impact cyberbullying is having on students in your school. After identifying the type and amount of cyberbullying in your area, you must educate. Show students, parents and staff real life examples of online occurrences that have caused social, emotional, and legal consequences. Because posting comments online happens so quickly and easily, many people will unintentionally make private information public. Students need to be taught to think before they post to avoid unintended results.
Building a positive school environment where students learn to respect others for their differences is the most important undertaking. Creating an environment where students positively connect and interact with other students and teachers building trusting relationships. Teaching and enforcing rules about positive online activity will help student learn how to interact appropriately online. Teachers and parents need to be positive role models. Students will learn what they are taught and shown, but they cannot learn anything that they are not shown.
Adults should know the warning signs to identify a student who is being bullied. It is important to be open and honest with our children. We must have real conversations with our young adults to help them navigate the rough waters of adolescence. By educating teachers, parents, and students, we can help protect our youth to insure a better online tomorrow.
Resources:
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2015). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin$h.
Stop Bullying Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2020, from https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Resources for help with Cyberbullying
Help for girls who are being bullied: https://www.girlshealth.gov/bullying/index.html
Facts about Cyberbullying: https://www.covenanteyes.com/2012/01/17/bullying-statistics-fast-facts-about-cyberbullying/ Take a stand against cyberbullying; https://www.stopbullying.gov/ Cyberbullying Reseach: https://cyberbullying.org/ Word Wound: https://www.wordswound.org/ |
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