Cyberbullying

=**__CYBERBULLYING__**= **by Patty McClean and Drew Shelton**

(source: State of Vermont Information Security)

Cyberbullying is any form of intimidation, harrassment, or personal attack that takes place online. With so many forms of internet communication available, cyberbullying can occur in many different venues, including e-mail, online chat, text messages, blog posts, or online discussion forums. Since internet connectivity has expanded dramatically in recent years, few regions have any laws that address online harrassment, leaving many communities scrambling to catch up. The faceless and sometimes anonymous nature of online bullying provides relative safety for the violator, who may easily deny the incidents or publicize them to even greater negative consequences for the victim.
 * Description:**

In the wake of certain landmark cases that resulted in teen suicide, some cities and even states are attempting to pass legislation to make cyberbullying a punishable crime. However, the real intent is to stop the bullying before it escalates to such damaging and traumatic levels. Like traditional bullying, most cyberbullying goes unnoticed by parents and unreported by its victims. Making students and parents aware of these hazards will reduce the stigma of reporting and stopping cyberbullying.

There is a trickle-down effect in schools: any issue that affects the students will come into the classroom and affect the teachers, the administration, and the entire school. Like ordinary bullying, cyberbullying can make school into a hostile environment that students cannot escape. Cyberbullying may even be more extreme than traditional bullying as online communication is often less inhibited than normal conversation and may escalate faster and farther than playground or hallway bullying.
 * What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students?**

Although cyberbullying may occur outside of school, its effects are felt everywhere. Educators must bear some responsibility for making school a safe learning environment. Students who feel miserable and persecuted may bring less focus to their schoolwork and be unwilling to participate in class. Bullied students need support from their teachers just as much as students who suffer through family abuse or neglect.


 * [[image:http://ahscrowsnest.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/cyberbullying2_051.jpg]]

Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction:** __Please note__: Each level of suggestion instruction builds upon the previous levels. Many concepts can be repeated, reused, and built upon as students mature and are capable of discussing these issues in more sophisticated ways.

__PreK-K__: Preschool helps teach young students the standards of social interaction. Just as students need to learn basic rules like "keep your hands to yourself" and "clean up your own messes," they should be taught to give others respect and expect it in return. At this level, cyberbullying does not need to be distinguished from ordinary bullying. However, it would be worthwhile to point out to children that the same rules apply to people they interact with in person, over the phone, or online.

__1-2__: The same message described above for PreK-K would apply for grades 1-3. However, the issues may require more time and attention now that students are beginning to work and communicate online and will have more opportunities to be exposed to (or to commit) cyberbullying. The same principles of web safety that protect students from strangers online (don't give out your personal information, stay on approved sites, discuss problems with parents or teachers, etc.) would help to curb the effects of cyberbullying.

__3-5__: This is still an early age for cyberbullying to occur, but it may be the end of the window of opportunity for impressing safe and respectful web practices on students. Teachers should capitalize on any web-related projects as chances to bring up and reinforce the responsible attitudes described above. At this age, students' web activities should still be structured and monitored by parents and teachers, providing good opportunities for feedback and discussion.

__6-8__: Expect bullying to start if it hasn't already. Students are experiencing varying stages of puberty and may be dealing with new and confusing emotions. Teachers may be able to identify potential targets of cyberbullying since they are likely the same students that receive abuse or mockery while in school. Any bullying behavior in the classroom should be dealt with swiftly and seriously. Any web-related projects need to include some aspect of teacher monitoring to help model and enforce good online behavior. Teachers may need to make a greater effort to reach out to parents and keep communication lines active since some parents may become less involved in their children's school lives as the children become more independent.

__9-12__: At this age, students are mature enough to be held fully responsible for their actions but not necessarily mature enough to behave themselves even when they know what is expected of them. Students need to realize that they are accountable for their online behavior no matter how anonymous or innocuous they believe it to be. Students will have many web-related projects and will need to use online communication tools regularly. Therefore, teachers need to maintain vigilance for online bullying and make the consequences clear and severe. Encourage students to be responsible for themselves and for others and model that behavior by communicating with students and other teachers directly about potential or actual bullying. Teachers can help each other by sharing their experiences with specific students in different classes so that any fallout from an incident in one class can be anticipated and handled when it spills into another one.

High-profile cyberbullying examples: Ryan Halligan (committed suicide in 2003 at age 13 after online bullying) Megan Meier (committed suicide in 2006 at age 13 after online bullying) Phoebe Prince (committed suicide in 2010 at age 15 after online bullying)
 * Additional Links:**

Online cyberbullying-prevention resources: [] [] []

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 * References:**