Cyber Bullying: The Role of the TeacherBy Meredith Doyle

What Is Cyber Bullying?Cyber Bullying is just like the traditional definition that we have of bullying,

however this type of bullying occurs through any technological device. Cyber

bullying can occur through a number of different platforms and medias including,

but not limited to, text messages, blogs, websites, social media (Facebook, Yik

Yak, Snap Chat, etc.), and chats. Although young people may think that sites like

Yik Yak or Snap Chat are anonymous or that their messages disappear after a

number of seconds, this is still categorized under the umbrella of cyber bullying.

How is this different from bullying in person? Well, students do not have the

ability to escape since the bullying can occur around the clock in multiple ways.

Students often feel like they cannot escape the harassment.

New App Where Cyber Bullying May Occur1. Yik Yak is a new app that allows users to type in their phone number and

see what people in their area are chatting about. The app uses the area

code from the telephone number to allow you to see messages from

people in your area. The danger? The messages are anonymous, so there

is the potential to write something harmful or hurtful and post it for people

in your community to see without the fear of retribution and the cloud of

anonymity. It is largely used at college campuses at the moment, but the

app will only continue to spread in popularity.

2. Ask.fm is a website launched in 2010 and unlike Facebook or Twitter

there are no privacy settings. The site allows users to pose questions to

one another while concealing themselves. Unfortunately in recent years

the site has been linked to several suicides due to cyber bullying and the

CEOs make little acknowledgement of the incidents.

3. Kik Messanger is a new app that can be used on any device and is not

web-based, so it can fly under the radar of

parents. It is an app that allows the user to

message from any device without using a

service provider. The app recently switched

the age limit from 13 years to 17 years of age,

further indicating that content is inappropriate

from school children.

Effects of Cyber Bullying on StudentsStudents who are cyber bullied have very similar

reactions as students who are bullied face-to-

face. They may skip school, become withdrawn,

have more health issues, receive lower marks in

school, stay home “sick” more often or refuse to

come to school, have decreased self-esteem, and

become drug or alcohol abusers. There have even been cases across the United

States of students committing suicide due to bullying.

Effects of Cyber Bullying on School DistrictsSchool districts feel the effects of cyber bullying as well. Counselors are

overwhelmed with students in their offices trying to resolve conflicts started

online. School administrators spend time soothing parents and can spend hours

trying to research cyberbullying incidents. Teachers jump in to separate fights

started by conversations via text message or a Facebook post. The list goes on.

Cyber Bullying Legislation: A Blessing or a Curse? One of the more difficult aspects of cyber bullying in schools is legislation. There

is no federal bullying law, however bullying frequently overlaps with harassment

and therefore legally needs to be addressed by school districts. Some states

have written laws, some policies that provide guidance to schools and some

have both. The difficulty with

not having a federal law that

covers cyberbullying is that

school districts are finding it

difficult to create and enact

their own legislation.

Due to lack of federal

legislation many times school districts do not handle a cyber bullying incident

correctly and end up breaking the law themselves. Schools have pursued a child

for cyber bullying when they should not have and have let cases fall by the way

side when they should have taken action. Districts and states need help figuring

our where and when to draw the line. It is as if the federal government is

attempting addressing the issue, but instead of addressing it themselves the

responsibility of figuring out how to deal with cyber bullying falls on the states and

local school districts.

In addition, some states are mandating that school districts educated parents,

students and the community but are not providing the funding to support such

activities. The laws in policies in place now are bringing cyber bullying discussion

into the open air, however there is still quite a bit to be improved upon.

Intervention & Prevention Strategies: What Can Schools Do? Schools first and foremost should establish a district-

wide policy on cyber bullying based on their state

laws or policies. Next, the policy should be clearly

written and readily available (i.e. posted in the student

handbook, published on the website and distributed to

parents). School districts should educate their staff on

warning signs of a student who is being cyber bullied.

Staff should be aware of how they are expected to

handle the incident or what they observe, whether

that be submitting an electronic form or speaking with their principal. Schools can

establish safe-zones or people with who students know they can talk with if they

do not know whom to turn. A safe-zone could mean a certain teacher’s room or

the counselor. School districts can bring in motivational speakers or hold

assemblies to educate students about the effects and consequences of cyber

bullying. At the start of the school year computer class could have an introductory

lesson built into curriculum to discuss cyber ethics. Lastly, schools can empower

students to help themselves by organizing or creating a club or having students

design anti-cyber bullying posters. Have the students create their own anti-cyber

bullying campaign and ask them how they think that teachers or administration

should deal with issues. A school district might even ask the students to help one

another and create a support group or safe-zone made up of students.

Conclusions: What Can Teachers Do? The most important take away for teachers is to be informed and to inform. As

educators we should be informed about the most recent policies and law and

should be prepared to deal with cyber bullying. We should know who to contact,

when and how to report an incident. Teachers should

also be aware of new and immerging technologies.

Teachers are frequently on the front lines when it

comes to dealing with behavioral issues caused by

cyber bullying and are more also likely to see a

behavioral change in a student who is a cyber bully

victim. We should also take time to educate our

students and inform them how to deal with issues if they should occur. We

should also be there as a support for those who are victims. Empowering,

supporting and informing are some of the most powerful things we can do to help

keep our children safe.

Works Cited:

"Cyberbullying Laws and School Policy: A Blessing or Curse? - Cyberbullying

Research Center." Cyberbullying Research Center Cyberbullying Laws

and School Policy A Blessing or Curse Comments. N.p., 28 Sept. 2010.

Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

"Federal Laws." Federal Laws. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

Hoffman, Jan. "Online Bullies Pull Schools Into the Fray." The New York Times.

The New York Times, 27 June 2010. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

"Prevention at School." Prevention at School. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

Rich, Detective Sgt Thomas. "Cyberbullying's Impact on Our Children and What

Schools Can Do." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d.

Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

"Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying." Education Week:.

N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

State And Local Lawmakers Have Taken Action To Prevent Bullying And Protect

Children. Through Laws (In Their, State Education Codes And

Elsewhere) And Model Policies (That Provide Guidance To Districts

And Schools), Each, State Addresses Bullying Differently. Find Out

How Your State Refers To Bullying In Its Laws And What They Require,

and On Part Of Schools And Districts. Key Components They Contain.

Http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/index.htmlMissouri Anti-Bullying Laws

& Policies (n.d.): n. pag. Web.

"What Is Cyberbullying." What Is Cyberbullying. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.