Suggestions and
Solutions
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How they will help
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Make sure students are aware of what cyber bullying is
(informational assemblies, class discussions etc)
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Inform students on what cyber bullying is. Perhaps in a
school assembly or presentation. This way all students will be aware of how
bad cyber bullying can be and how it affects others. Also, individuals who
partake in cyberbullying aren’t aware
they are bullying online and may stop once they realize the effects
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Take it seriously
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Make sure cyber bullying is not a rite of passage. We must
change the culture. As a teacher, make
sure you are familiar with current slang, terms and current social networking
sites. Explain that negative behavior online will not be tolerated. Emphasize
the idea that “If you wont say it in person, don’t you say it online” And
“anything said and sent online is permanent”. Changing passwords, contact details, blocking profiles on social
networking sites or reporting abuse online
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Recognize the signs
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As a teacher, pay attention to the emotional signs of
students. Does anyone seem depressed? Is anyone withdrawn? Are students’
grades dropping? Recognize a student outcast. Make an effort to go outside
for recess with children to see them in a social setting to see these student
behaviours.
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Ask students to report cyberbulling and take action
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Bullying
stops when the bystanders speak up. Encourage bystanders to refuse to pass
along cyber bullying messages. Or they could step in on bullying and add to a wall post with "This is
not cool" when they see something inappropriate.
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Respond to an incident
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Encourage
the target of cyberbullying to not erase the evidence by immediately
deleting the hurtful message from her wall or phone. Tell the student to take
a screen shot to save it, and then share the information with an adult.
Break
the myth that the bully is the cool one and it's the victim's fault. Ask
students why they were bullied and you'll hear them say they are too fat or
too tall. Rather, it's the bully who is hurting and wants to lash out and be
mean.
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Finding the right response
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Experts say it should not be about the punishment. Listen to the students and let the target be part of the
solution. Often, restorative justice techniques where students talk with each
other to understand the impact of the incident are effective.
Separate
the behavior from the student; try to take the criminalization out of it.
It's a matter of teaching right from wrong and teaching them proper behavior,
rather than branding them a criminal forever.
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Get parents involved
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Schools
are an important place to connect with parents and disseminate information
about online safety. Invite parents to workshops about cyberbullying and
share the school's policy. Teachers have to encourage parents to be involved
in their kids' online lives. They're already involved in cheerleading or
football. We have to be similarly passionate about what kids are doing
online. Just as parents wouldn't let their kids run around an amusement park,
they shouldn't let kids surf online unsupervised.
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Investigate
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The cyberbullying
claim needs to be investigated fully. If the perpetrator is known, ask them
to remove offending remarks or posts. All records should be kept as part of
the investigation
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Anti Bullying Policy
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A
copy of the school's anti-bullying policy must be provided to
the department and the patron if requested. Bullying is defined as unwanted negative behaviour, verbal,
psychological or physical, conducted by an individual or group against
another person (or persons) and which is repeated over time.
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Build a safe Environment
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Establish a
school culture of acceptance, tolerance and respect. Use staff meetings,
assemblies, class and parent meetings, newsletters to families, the school
website, and the student handbook to establish a positive climate at school.
Reinforce positive social interactions and inclusiveness.
Establish a
culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students. Reward students
when they show thoughtfulness and respect for peers, adults, and the school.
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