Topic: Cyberbullying / 

Human beings have done some remarkable things with the advent of the internet. In relation to education, a popular way to learn a concept on a deeper level is to “Google” it. Yes, it is a word in the dictionary. After this google search, the reader may further access videos, blogs, how-to guides, reviews, testimonies, etc. to learn more about a topic. This can be a form of social learning. People share their thoughts, ideas, opinions, evidence, and facts online in hopes to spread this knowledge to others. People can also communicate, collaboration, and reply online. Yet, social learning can be detrimental if students use technology for the wrong purposes. The most recent generation of young people communicate online at a higher percentage than any other generation before. This leaves a greater opportunity for cyberbullying incidents.

According to stopcyberbullying.gov, “cyberbullying can hurt reputations of people.” Text that is posted online serves as a permanent record that can have lasting effects in the real world. When students are bullied at such a young age without adult intervention, they may suffer trauma which may affect them throughout their adult life. As educators, we cannot leave it up to the church or parents to teach students to communicate effectively online. An educator must be vigilant in his or her classroom because words posted online can be just as hurtful as words said in person.  

Being an educator in the K-12 setting, I can estimate that a large number of face to face altercations and physical violence in my school system stem from negative comment that are posted online. I have also witnessed students who cyberbully others in my own classroom through Google Chat, Google Classroom comments, and other websites.

According to the Horizon Report (2017), digital literacy is a complex topic in which is a challenge for schools to implement into their curriculum. Although students, use tools for learning core subjects, should students take separate classes to learn about netiquette and how to communicate appropriately online? Students are born into a complex interconnected web where every post and comment is tracked and monitored. How do we prevent cyberbullying from happening online?

Although cyberbullying can not be fully prevented online, the parent-child relationship is important to be contribute to the cyberbullying solution. According to Mehari, Moore, Waasdorp, Varney, Berg, and Leff (2018), students should intervene and tell a trusted adult if they have witnessed bullying online. Parents should monitor their child’s use of electronic devices and build positive relationships with their child to allow open conversations about cyberbullying issues. Although this advice is for parents, educators act as a student’s second parent in the classroom. They too should build positive relationships with their students to talk about difficult issues such as cyberbullying.

Another solution to respond to acts of cyberbullying is to educate students about coping strategies and consequences. According to Snakenborg, Van Acker, and Gable (2011), students must be taught strategies to respond appropriately to cyberbullying comments. For example, instead of escalating the bullies power, they can diffuse it by saying, “stop.” Also, the bully should realize there are harsh consequences for their behavior. Educators and school officials should administer timely and appropriate punishment for acts of cyberbullying. Whether it be to remove technology privileges or engage in lessons of empathy, adults should provide consequences for actions.  Since cyberbullying occurs when an adult is not present, teachers must engage in an active role of monitoring online behavior. It is not enough for young students to communicate online without some adult supervision. Educators should constantly be walking around the classroom and frequently reading the screens of student’s devices. Also, if cyber bullying is a common occurrence in the classroom, teachers should teach a mini-lesson and model appropriate responses to negative comments online.

I really believe that cyberbullying is a byproduct of the competitive nature of American society. It will not end or stop unless timely consequences and education are implemented to teach students how to respectfully communicate online. When these instances occur in the classroom, it is beneficial to encourage the perpetrator to self-reflect on their actions and behaviors. Teaching students empathy and to consider the thoughts and feelings of other can strengthen their socio-emotional health. In the future, collaborative learning will become commonplace and educators must address the issues of strengthening student’s emotional intelligence and the self-regulation of emotion when interacting with others.

References

Mehari, K. R., Moore, W., Waasdorp, T. E., Varney, O., Berg, K., & Leff, S. S. (2018). Cyberbullying prevention: Insight and recommendations from youths, parents, and paediatricians. Child: Care, Health & Development, 44(4), 616–622. https://doi-org.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/10.1111/cch.12569

Snakenborg, J., Van Acker, R., & Gable, R. (2011). Cyberbullying: Prevention and Intervention to Protect Our Children and Youth. Preventing School Failure, 55(2), 88–95. https://doi-org.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/10.1080/1045988X.2011.539454

(N.D.). Warning Signs a Child Is Being Cyberbullied or Is Cyberbullying. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/tips-for-teachers/index.html