Cyber BullyingBOCES Staff Orientation

September 4, 2013

“www.fehb.org”

Dignity For All Students ActThe New York State “Dignity For All Students

Act” or “DASA” was signed into law on September 13, 2010, and took effect on July 1,

2012. It was established with the legislative intent to prevent harassment, bullying, and

discrimination in school.

Legislative Intent of the Dignity For All Students Act

Reduce the risk of compromising the student’s ability to learn and participate in their educational setting.

Promote a school environment that is free of discrimination and harassment by school staff or students.

Foster civility, responsibility and respect.

Amendment to DASA The New York State Legislature passed an

amendment to the Dignity for All Students Act to specifically address Cyber Bullying not only within schools but also incidents that occur off school property that could "foreseeably disrupt" the school environment.

This amendment takes effect July 1, 2013 and will make New York one of only 15 states that have included the terminology of “Cyber Bullying" in legislation about bullying.

What is Cyber Bullying? Cyber Bullying is the deliberate act that directly:

Threatens, harasses, or intimidates another individual.

The individual fears for the safety of themselves or their property.

It creates a hostile environment for the victim.

Methods of Cyber Bullying Cyber Bullying includes the electronic aggression of bullying

or harassing an individual in: Email Messages Instant MessagingDigital Pictures or Images Website Posts/Blogs

Chat Room Exchanges Text Messages

Through the use of:Tablets Cell Phone Internet Smart Phones Computers Music and Media Players

And or any other methods and use of electronic devices that sends, receives, stores, reproduces or displays voice and/or text

communication technology.

Forms of Cyber Bullying Bash Boards Denigration Exclusion Flaming Griefing Happy Slapping Harassment Images and Videos Impersonation Online Polls Outing Sending Malicious Code Sexting Text Wars or Attacks Trickery

Why Cyber Bullying is Different Than Bullying

Takes place 24/7.

Invades home, personal space, and school environment.

It can be conducted quickly and on a large scale.

Can be done anonymously by setting up fake accounts.

Bystanders become perpetrators by simply passing on the electronic message or participating in conversations.

Perpetrators may not fit the typical stereotype of bullies.

Provides evidence; for example, emails, texts, photos, videos, etc.

Perpetrator may not have considered the consequences of their behavior; the incident may have been unintentional or a joke.

Effects of Cyber BullyingLose self-esteem, self-confidence, and sense of security.

Depression, anxiety, nervousness, and eating disorders.

Affects a student’s performance and attendance at school.

Experience mental and health problems.

Damages a student’s reputation and marginalizes them in certain groups.

Leads to suicidal thoughts and suicide.

Victim retaliation against the perpetrator.

Causes a life long affect to the victim.

Statistics and Facts on Cyber BullyingNearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has had it

happen more than once.

70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online.

Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.

68% of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious problem.

81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.

90% of teens who have seen social-media bullying say they have ignored it. 84% have seen others tell cyber bullies to stop.

Sources:” Stopcyber bullying,InternetSafety101,StompOut Bullying,Endcyber bullying”

Statistics and Facts on Cyber Bullying

Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.

Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying.

About 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out 10 say it has happened more than once.

About 75% have visited a website bashing another student.

Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.

Sources:” Stopcyber bullying,InternetSafety101,StompOut Bullying,Endcyber bullying”

“The psychological and emotional outcomes

of cyber bullying are similar to those of real-

life bullying. The difference is, real-life

bullying often ends when

school ends. For cyber

bullying, there is no escape.

And, it’s getting worse.”

Sources:” Stopcyber bullying,InternetSafety101,StompOut Bullying,Endcyber bullying”

How Do Schools Respond? Create a school environment that is free from discrimination and

harassment by adopting a model policy, as outlined by DASA, to prohibit bullying, cyber bullying, and harassment.

Include anti-bullying and harassment policy in the Code of Conduct that is clearly stated in an age- appropriate language .

Under DASA regulations, a Dignity Act Coordinator has been appointed for each building to handle instances of harassment and discrimination.

Train and provide school staff with guidelines to enable them to prevent and respond to discrimination and harassment.

Train students about honesty, tolerance, personal responsibility, respect for others, observance of laws, courtesy, and dignity.

The Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES Board of Education prohibits any act of bullying, harassment, cyber bullying, hazing and so forth through the use of any personal or BOCES owned, operated, and supervised technological devices. These acts are inappropriate and will not be tolerated on school grounds or at school sponsored events or functions.

Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCESDignity for All Students Coordinators

North Franklin Educational Center: Lorraine Childs Phone: 483-5230 Email: lchilds@mail.fehb.org

Adirondack Educational Center: Philip Beaney Phone: 891-1330 Email: pbeaney@mail.fehb.org

Information available on the BOCES Website:www.fehb.org

Bibliography

Dawson, C. (2013, 02 02). Why is cyber bullying different? Retrieved from http://www.zdnet.com/blog/education/why-is-cyber bullying-different/3591

Do Something.org. 11 Facts about cyber bullying. Retrieved from http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying

Slentz, K. NY State Education Department, (2013). Amendment of sections 100.2(c), 100.2(l) & 119.6, and 100.2(kk) of the commissioner's regulations, relating to the dignity for all students act. Retrieved from website: http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2013Meetings

Stopbulling.gov. What is cyber bullying. Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyber bullying/what-is-it/index.html

Teach Today. (2012). What are the effects of cyber bullying?. Retrieved from http://www.teachtoday.eu/en/Teacher-advice/cyber bullying.aspx