cyberbullying 21 st century harassment. the changing face of bullying physical strength or size is...
TRANSCRIPT
Cyberbullying
21st Century Harassment
The Changing Face of Bullying
Physical strength or size is no longer a factor
Online – anyone can be a victim or a bully
There is often a ‘mob’ or ‘faceless’ mentality
We, as educators, can often be the victims
Bullying is Easier Online
Internet offers a sense of protection
Free from cultural norms and adult supervision
Observers and contributors are unlimited
The majority of teens use the internet daily
Who is a Cyberbully?
Cyberbullies say:
They don’t like the other person(s) They have been cyberbullied first They were upset by the other person They have friends who engage in
Cyberbullying They do it because it is fun
Why Isn’t Cyberbullying Reported?
It is the student’s problem and not the school’s
The school staff can’t stop the bullying anyway
Their friends could get into trouble Their parents would restrict access to the
Internet or other technology Other students will think they are ‘rats’ The bullying will get worse
Legal Consequences
Schools have a legal duty of care The School Act says that Boards of Education
have authority when conduct has an impact or connection on the school environment
Harassing conduct includes repeated communication with a person
Threatening Conduct occurs when someone utters, or causes another person to receive a threat to cause ‘death or bodily harm’ or a threat to damage property
Human Rights
We must maintain a discrimination-free learning environment for
students & staff
Prohibited grounds include:-race, colour, ancestry, religion, family status, marital status, place of origin, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation.
Communicating With Parents
Most parents don’t fully supervise teens when the teens are on the internet
We need to educate the parents
We need to tell parents to communicate with their children and support them
Save all examples (MSN, nexopia, emails etc) that show bullying
Tips for Parents If your child is being victimized:
- Support your children; tell them that they have done the right thing in telling you
-Use “Block”, “Ban”, or “Ignore” feature on Instant Messaging
-Print out he messages or the websites
-Inform the school
-Inform the police, if necessary
-Inform the internet service provider
Tips for Parents If you find out your child is a ‘cyberbully’:
-Take it seriously
-Print out any communication
-Find out who else was involved
-Inform the school
-Talk to your child and help him/her understand why the behaviour is wrong
If Your Child is a Cyberbully:
Talk to your child and help him/her understand why the behaviour is wrong
-His/Her actions may have caused serious harm to another person
Ask - “How would you feel if this ended up on the front page of the
newspaper?” ”What if everyone did this?” ”How do you think it makes the other
person feel?” ”How does this make you feel
inside?”
If Your Child is a Cyberbully:
Support him/her, and help him/her through whatever restitution needs to occur
Promote he/she doing the right thing
For Students When you are accessing the Internet,
remember the following guidelines:-Always keep your password private.
-Always keep your personal information to yourself and off the Internet
-Always check first with your parents before entering a chat room. Remember that people
on the Internet are not always who they say they are
-- Always ignore emails and instant messages when you are unsure of the sender.
For Students Always treat other people the way that you would like
to be treated Always check first with your parents before signing
up for anything on the Internet Always talk with your parents about what you are
doing online and to whom you are speaking Always trust your instincts. If something does not
seem right or makes you feel uncomfortable, speak to a trusted adult
Always turn off the computer if someone harasses, threatens or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way
Online Safety - Direct Protective Factors
Use anti-virus software and firewalls Keep all software up to date Review sites your teen visits and ensure online
diaries/profiles do not contain identifying personal information
Reinforce the public nature of the Internet Inform your adolescent that once a picture or
information is sent, he/she loses control of what happens to it, so be mindful of what is sent.
Inform your adolescent that pictures can be captured (freezing photos, recording video) by others without knowing, so to be mindful of how the webcam is used. Disconnect the webcam when not in use.
Indirect Protective Measures – Positive Identity Formation
Be emotionally available for your adolescent Pay attention to how your adolescent is
feeling. Acknowledge their feelings. Encourage him/her to talk to you whenever needed.
Needs Feelings of accomplishment Needs to understand the importance of
morality Needs to feel a sense of belonging Your adolescent needs to feel love from the
family
What Behaviours Might Signal a Problem?
It is important to pay attention to any behaviours that become excessive and interfere with the teen’s life.
The teen is acting very differently – more withdrawn, emotional, defensive, aggressive, angry, or secretive?
The teen has significantly increased time spent online
The teen does not respond to limits Online activities are interfering with life
Steps Parents Can Take
Step 1 - Increase your involvement. Step 2 - Increase supervision and directly
monitor online activities and phone calls. Step 3 - Enforce limits on Internet use
(depending on the level of risk, you may consider taking away Internet privileges for a limited time.)
Step 4 - Build your relationship with your adolescent.
Email Protection Tips Email Protection Tips By "Forwarding" emails which contain many email addresses, you
jeopardize the computers of the people to whom you forward these emails. There are three main issues in emails:
VIRUSES: This can be how viruses get onto people's computer and can hide in email addresses. Sometimes there are viruses hidden in the code of an email and you don't even know you are forwarding them.
SPAM: By forwarding on to multiple addresses (using the 'To' address) you can potentially put everyone's email on MASS mailing lists... (better to use 'BCC', blind carbon copy, if sending an email to a bunch of people)
PRIVACY: Also, by using the To address, you expose the email addresses of everyone in your list, PLUS everyone's address within the message that you didn't delete, and just forwarded.
It is better and safer if you receive an email that you think is funny or nice to share to COPY & PASTE the words or pictures into a new email; or at the very least FORWARD the message WITHOUT the email addresses
PostersOne Web cam, countless Peeping Toms.Who’s watching Your Kids?
Posters“I shouldn’t have sent it. He promised he
wouldn’t show anyone.”
Websites
www.kidsintheknow.ca
www.wiredsafety.org
www.webaware.ca
www.cybertip.ca