Beware of CYBER BULLYING!

The safety of the student should and always be a priority with the teacher and it is absolutely essential, then we add one more component to the safety issue, that being technology. We have to be aware of Cyber-bullying, Cyber-bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. There are several terms used for this abuse and they are: bullying, stalking or harassment but what ever the terminology, we as educators and role models need to make it clear that there are consequences for this behavior and it is not acceptable in our learning community!

The practice of cyber-bullying is not limited to children and, while the behavior is identified by the same definition in adults, the distinction in age groups is referred to as cyber stalking or cyber-harassment when perpetrated by adults toward adults. Common tactics used by cyber stalkers are to vandalize a search engine or encyclopedia, to threaten a victim's earnings, employment, reputation, or safety. A pattern of repeated such actions against a target by and between adults constitutes cyber stalking.

The Internet is a great tool, but like any tool can be used to hurt others and be extremely dangerous. Students can be a vulnerable target for cyber bullying but it is our responsibility to build a positive connection between staff and student. We must remember children learn from what they see us do rather than what we say. There are some copious steps in which we can set in place for the cyber bully and these are just a few of the thoughts that I feel should be addressed:
• Tell a trusted adult about the bullying, and keep telling until the adult takes action.
• Don’t open or read messages by cyber bullies.
• Tell your school if it is school related. Schools have a bullying solution in place.
• Don’t erase the messages—they may be needed to take action.
• Protect yourself—never agree to meet with the person or anyone you meet online.
• If bullied through chat or instant messaging, the “bully” can often be blocked.
• If you are threatened with harm, inform the local police.

It is imperative that the adult in the school community; the administration, teachers, students and parents, make a firm commitment to make a change. Since cyber bullying may not actually be committed while your students are in school, it's important to involve families because if the family is educated the child is protected beyond the classroom, open communication is key to this process. Consistent enforcement of effective consequences for bullying (inconsistent makes the problem worse) is essential. Consequences should be predictable, inevitable, immediate and escalating, so that the bully does not establish a playing field for this abuse on our watch or anybodies!