A number of children and families are being affected by bullying every day. Schools cannot deny the fact that the increase in school violence, suicide, and bullying are detrimental to learning and children feeling safe at school. In a recent survey of over 30 million U.S. students between the ages of 12 and 18, nearly 32 percent reported that they were bullied at school (US Department of Education 2011). The internet and social media have increased the tragic and traumatic effects that bullying has had on many students in school. Research is showing the increase in hateful comments and intimidating behaviour that occurs through social media as well as messaging and video responses. This has prompted many school districts to take action through policy and programming to try and alleviate this issue.
So what do we do?? How can schools control, monitor or supervise activities that are being done over the internet and through social media? Can we make schools safe for everyone and have children feel that they will not be bullied or intimidated by those they share a space with?
Let's begin by defining bullying and what it means to be bullied.
In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:
- An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
- Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Why Cyberbullying is Different
Kids who are being cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well. Additionally, kids who are cyberbullied have a harder time getting away from the behaviour.
- Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night.
- Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.
- Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.
1. The first approach that educators must implement is an assessment of the current bullying situation in their school. Data collection may be difficult because sometimes students don't understand the definition of bullying and what it is or they feel uncomfortable telling people in authority what may be happening to them.
2. Engage Parents and Youth to take control of the situation. Developing or promoting a committee that includes parents, teachers, and youth is a great way to make sure all relevant stakeholders are being responsible for the outcomes within the school.
3. Set clear rules, policies and expectations around the behaviour in the school, in the playground, on the bus and the parents can be asked to set expectations at home. Developing a Code of Conduct and sending it to all members of the school to sign and acknowledge. A Student Bill of Rights may also be a powerful tool to engage students to exhibit appropriate behaviour.
3. Create a safe and secure classroom environment with the teacher making sure to stand up to inappropriate language, comments and behaviour. Establish a climate of inclusion and acceptance that welcomes all students. Monitor school "hot spots" that may have known bullying incidences.
4. Training sessions can be formal or informal. Discussions among staff, parents and students can happen anywhere and at any time. Design activities that focus on what can be done to prevent bullying - art, research projects, presentations, classroom meetings.
5. Never underestimate the power of the community when it comes together to address bullying issues. People in the community bring with them unique strengths and ideas and should be utilized on a regular basis. Examine the potential community partners the school can involve themselves with to address issues happening in the school.
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