Cyberbullying has become the new threat in bullying in schools and out of schools. Chapter 10 reviews some of the issues that occur in cyberbullying today and what can be done to prevent them from happening or correct them once they have happened. One of the main preventive activities that they call out is education of students and parents on internet usage and what cyberbullying is. Letting students/ kids know what defines cyberbullying, why it is not acceptable, and why it is always okay to talk to a grown up about it will help the student understand the course of action to take. Creating a peer support system is helpful in the correction and comforting after cyberbullying has occurred. Students are generally more receptive to their peers or peers they look up to and will be more willing to take advice from these people. Parents play a very active roll in the prevention and monitoring of cyberbullying. Keeping a watchful eye on children and their at home internet usage can clue into signs that they are either being bullied or are a bully. Parent involvement is also essential in keeping students safe from dangerous online predators or websites that are not safe. Because the internet and technology becomes a part of our daily lives from a very young age, it is important for teachers and especially parents to start discussing safety and prevention at an early age so that students realize that it is okay to talk to an adult figure at any time.
Bullying and Cyberbullying are all part of the same definition - a way for students to make fun of, demoralize, or destroy the ego of a fellow peer. The creation of the internet has just made another medium for the students that have a bully mentality to use in their practice. And because the internet can create a more private portal for bullying (the ability to hide a screen, play on a PC in private, secrete or stolen identity, etc) it is even harder to find and catch those students that participate in bullying. I was a bully in 6th grade, I did it due to a lack of friends and wanting to lash out at those students I wished were my friends. Some students do it because they think it is fun and get enjoyment out of others suffering. Still others participate because it is modeled by parents and siblings at home. The ability to find and stop those that bully will probably never end, it is like war, there is always someone who just has that desire to fire a missal. The important thing to remember is effectively employing our kids and students with the knowledge of what cyberbullying is and what to do if it happens will help protect them and potential stop others from performing the act in the future.
What age do you think is most affected by cyberbullying? And at what point do you think that parents and teachers need to teach kids to 'shake it off'? I'm not saying that bullying is something to ignore, but at some point in time everyone is a bully and everyone is bullied. Do you think we should teach children to ignore rude comments and show them the difference between extreme bullying and, for lack of better words, less extreme bullying?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting thought - it students didn't ever respond to a bully, would they still bully? I think if from an early age, classrooms worked on a sense of community and acceptance it would instill in those students that are potential bullies that it is not acceptable or necessary. It would also help reduce the cliques that can become potential bullies in the girl realm.
DeleteI like that you said "Parents play a very active roll in the prevention and monitoring of cyberbullying." I totally agree with you. I think it comes first from the parents and then at school. Teachers can only do so much and the schools do block a bunch of websites, but if the bullies have smart phones at school or no parental involvement they can do what they want. I see this with students who don't have to follow any rules or consequences at home. I'm a little nervous about how they will be when they are older.
ReplyDeleteSo many parents think that they don't have to take an active role in parenting, it is just sad. part of being a parent is instilling good habits in their children and teaching them appropriate behaviors. only then will the children understand how they should act. School telling them one way and parents not reinforcing will do no good.
DeleteI agree that parents need to take an active role in monitoring the children's online activity. Parents are key in helping a child who is being bullied through the ordeal, and also in working with a child who is a bully to correct the behavior. I think bullying has always been around and always will be around. Technology has just given kids a new tool to use to engage in the behavior. I do think that it can become extreme. It seems that bullying peaks in the middle school years, and since these children seek to be accepted by their peers above all else, it can be really devastating.
ReplyDeleteBullying really is a form of acceptance. Acceptance for the bully by a certain group, and making sure that those who are bullies become a target against certain groups. I also agree that bullying has always been around and will always be around.
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