CYBERBULLYING

 

Unfortunately in schools, there can be cases of bullying that are present. Bullying includes aggressive behaviours and verbal, physical or psychological taunts against others. Since an increase in technologies which are used by school students, some forms of bullying have turned into CYBERBULLYING!

Cyberbullying is the bullying through internet, mobile phones or other technological devices. It is a form of psychological bullying that has unfortunately now has a great depth due to several varying technologies. Forms include:

• Sending nasty emails, text messages, voice messages or voice messages
• Creating nasty or false posts about others
• Sending photos or videos of one without their consent through email, text etc.
• Pretending to be someone else through chatting, posting or messaging
• Accessing someone’s accounts
• Blocking individuals from online groups

This game gives an insight to children the dangers of using technology and how cyberbullying can occur as well as being prevented:

CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE GAME >>
Retrieved from: https://budd-e.staysmartonline.gov.au/primary/main.php

Technology, namely the internet has now provided the world with varying communicative methods. These communications can be exposed to all users of the internet; hence the implications of cyberbullying are extreme. Some forms of bullying may only be seen be a small group of students (e.g. one child being violent towards another) whereas on the contrary, some forms of cyberbullying can be seen by the entire world. This means that cyberbullying can occur both in and outside of schools. Often victims of cyberbullying will not report or tell others about the incidence of cyberbullying. For a victim, it can be very degrading having the entire world see false or embarrassing things about you. Hence, I believe that there are extreme dangers and precautions that need to be taken when using communicative technologies.

Retrieved from: http://blpssully.global2.vic.edu.au/2011/10/25/say-no-to-cyber-bullying/

I strongly agree that using technologies can be very dangerous; however I am confident that cyberbullying can be avoided and prevented as technology is too valuable of a resource to ignore due to cyberbullying. Schools are trying to take stances however cannot monitor cyberbullying every minute of the day. Most schools should have Anti-Bullying Policies in place for students and parents to see and understand. Schools also blocks social media pages in an attempt to reduce cyberbullying at school. Some schools have talks by police and have severe consequences in place for children who are caught cyberbullying. I believe the level of control of cyberbullying however is inconsistent and students and parents need to be made more aware of the dangers of using technology and realise that cyberbullying is common.  

I believe these cyberbullying awareness preventative measures and tips are effective as they involve both child and parents:

• Parent’s knowing their child’s phone and internet use
• Creating difficult passwords for personal information
• Not replying to messages
• Blocking senders
• Children need to talk to a trusted adult
• Report the sender
• Save messages to use as evidence
• Capture screen dumps or messages

I strongly believe that cyberbullying frequently occurs and that students need to be constantly reminded of the risks involved with going online. I believe that the preventative measures are effective however are not emphasised enough to school students. In my classroom, I would be certain to make aware the hazards of using technology aware and would ensure that students who have social media pages are aware of their actions online.

 REFERENCES:

Get with it: understanding and identifying cyberbullying to help protect your children. Brunswick Press Ltd.  30-01 11/08