Reflection on Digital Citizenship...
The act of bullying is often seen as a part of growing up and something that, well, kids just do. However, when a student is a victim of any type of bullying, the ability to concentrate and to focus fully on school is jeopardized. Kids who feel harmed at school give up precious learning time. Anyone who is a witness, and even the bullies themselves are expending energy that should be devoted to learning.
Cyber bullying is not harmless teasing. It is an aggressive act that causes emotional suffering through intimidation and harassment. Cyber bullying doesn’t stop at the end of the school day or when the recess bell rings. It is far more serious than an exchange between two people. Cyber bullying runs rampant and swiftly through social circles.
We’ve all read about teens who commit suicide as a result of some form of bullying. We’ve watched the news reports and listened in sadness and horror as we learn of lives that are shortened due to a Facebook post of a party that got out of hand or a student’s sexual orientation that was publicly ridiculed. When does a teacher intervene to protect the rights of innocent victims and what are that teacher’s responsibilities? As Common Sense Media aptly put it, “You’re an educator of a subject that nobody taught you how to teach.” The California Education Code requires that each school develop a School Safety Plan that is reviewed each year and amended as needed. If a school chooses to ignore obvious signs and sweeps an ongoing issue under the rug, a student will suffer. If playgrounds, libraries and classrooms are unsupervised, a bullying culture is likely to exist. Teachers, administrators, counselors and all staff members must be vigilant and they must be willing to help when and if a victim comes forward. Having the proper tools in place could be a life-saver. A school-based bullying prevention program (Positive Behavior Support) is a powerful way to send the message to kids that the school has zero tolerance for any type of bullying. A school with a ubiquitous system in place that creates constant awareness by displaying posters, holding meetings for students, and communicating a zero-tolerance policy sends a clear message that cyber bullying and any other kind of bullying is not acceptable and will not be allowed.
School counselors and classroom teachers who have first-hand knowledge of family situations are resources who can pinpoint the reason someone is a bully. Usually a bully is someone who is also a victim of some type of abuse.
Schools can be pro-active in many ways to prevent bullying. Public service announcements on television and radio send impactful messages and are free. The key to a successful school anti-bullying program for teachers to have training in knowing the signs and for students to know that 1) It isn’t tolerated at school, and 2) There is help if you need it.
Cyber bullying is not harmless teasing. It is an aggressive act that causes emotional suffering through intimidation and harassment. Cyber bullying doesn’t stop at the end of the school day or when the recess bell rings. It is far more serious than an exchange between two people. Cyber bullying runs rampant and swiftly through social circles.
We’ve all read about teens who commit suicide as a result of some form of bullying. We’ve watched the news reports and listened in sadness and horror as we learn of lives that are shortened due to a Facebook post of a party that got out of hand or a student’s sexual orientation that was publicly ridiculed. When does a teacher intervene to protect the rights of innocent victims and what are that teacher’s responsibilities? As Common Sense Media aptly put it, “You’re an educator of a subject that nobody taught you how to teach.” The California Education Code requires that each school develop a School Safety Plan that is reviewed each year and amended as needed. If a school chooses to ignore obvious signs and sweeps an ongoing issue under the rug, a student will suffer. If playgrounds, libraries and classrooms are unsupervised, a bullying culture is likely to exist. Teachers, administrators, counselors and all staff members must be vigilant and they must be willing to help when and if a victim comes forward. Having the proper tools in place could be a life-saver. A school-based bullying prevention program (Positive Behavior Support) is a powerful way to send the message to kids that the school has zero tolerance for any type of bullying. A school with a ubiquitous system in place that creates constant awareness by displaying posters, holding meetings for students, and communicating a zero-tolerance policy sends a clear message that cyber bullying and any other kind of bullying is not acceptable and will not be allowed.
School counselors and classroom teachers who have first-hand knowledge of family situations are resources who can pinpoint the reason someone is a bully. Usually a bully is someone who is also a victim of some type of abuse.
Schools can be pro-active in many ways to prevent bullying. Public service announcements on television and radio send impactful messages and are free. The key to a successful school anti-bullying program for teachers to have training in knowing the signs and for students to know that 1) It isn’t tolerated at school, and 2) There is help if you need it.