Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying comes in many forms. It can be lewd comments, insults or threats to safety. It can be on social networking sites, through text messages, or on web pages.It can be the sharing of a persons personal information, false slanders, and real or edited photos. It can be from someone you know, someone you think you know, or even someone unknown. In any case it is real abuse that causes true emotional harm.

I can recall a time when I would be on AIM chat for hours on end in junior high. I remember there were several times that I would receive cruel and hurtful comments from people I didn't know, and I do remember feeling depressed and even more uncomfortable at school than I had before. This is how it affects schools and why I think it is an issue schools need to be aware of. The emotional harm doesn't go away when you walk into the school, it can impact your students inside the walls as well. In general teachers and faculty should be watching for increased signs of anxiety and depression in students. If we detect them we should talk to the student and ask if there is anything happening that we can help with. We can take other methods to combat it before it gets to this point.

I am not a proponent of monitory students personal computers. I believe this to be an invasion of privacy as well as far too much time and resources committed from the school. I agree with the no side of the point counterpoint article when they said we should spend that energy creating better lessons and after school activities for our students. I would go further to saying we should use that energy creating a strong moral community inside our classrooms. If we make or place of learning somewhere students feel safe, respected and heard than they will be more likely to ask for help.

The first step is for all the teachers and faculty to educate themselves about the law. It is not in our rights to punish students for actions taken outside of school activities unless they are a direct threat to another students safety. For other issues of bullying we should create an awareness in our student body of what bullying is and how it is inappropriate in real life as well as on line and WHY. When we involve students in the understanding of moral responsibility to one another, we help build better characters and head these problems off at the pass. We must also educate students as to the best ways of dealing with cyber bullies, most importantly DO NOT ENGAGE. Record the evidence. If it is hurting you bring it to a parent, school official or law enforcement agent. Students should know that they are not alone and that we are there to help them succeed and keep them safe. We must also take steps to educate the parents as well. We should talk about these threats in meetings and send home information with students so that parents can watch for signs from home as well.

We have a responsibility to educate our students and that can only be done when students feel safe.If we educate them to the threats and dangers that exist, and the best ways of handling these situations when they arise, we have a better opportunity to ensure this safety.