Online Safety – Cyber Bullying
The topic of cyber bullying or electronic harassment continues to percolate to the forefront of many discussions. The Aldine, TX Senior high school had a good definition of cyber bullying: Cyberbullying is the willful repeated harm inflicted through electronic devices. Using the Internet, cell phones, video game systems or other technology to send/post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.
As I mentioned, this percolation follows the news cycles as media outlets report the tragic consequences when a youth’s life is overwhelmed by both physical and cyber bullying and they end up taking their life. An unfortunate term has evolved: Bullycide – to take ones life due to the inability to stop or cope with the onslaught of incessant bullying. We, as a society, must step up and put an end to this.
In October 2009, I wrote about “Electronic Harassment – The Insidious Ills of Our Online Society” in this blog space and discussed how cyber bullying affects both young and old. I identified the legislature in 19 of 50 states which addressed electronic harassment. There exists some good news. In 2009 there were 19 states which addressed harassment/bullying, in 2010 there are 44 states with effective anti-bullying statutes now on the books. This is good – all 50 should have such, in my opinion. As of July 2010, the National Conference of State Legislators in their report “Cyber bullying and the States” identifies the existing (or non existence) of the appropriate statutes within each of the 50 US states and the territories (see link below to examine).I’m pleased to note that in June 2010, my own state, Washington, passed legislation on this topic. But frankly having a law that prohibits it doesn’t stop it especially when the target of the harassment is a child. Visualize a child standing hands-on-hips saying, “You can’t do that it it’s against the law.” Frankly speaking that isn’t going to be very effective. Think though, if we are able to effectively educate both those who are inclined to bully and those who may be the targets of bullying, we may be in a very different place – one of respectful and accepting behaviors vice isolation and bigoted thought.
In Washington, the public school systems are required to have curriculum in the schools addressing bullying. Will this alone be sufficient, not likely. Is this a good start, absolutely. I commend to your attention the thoughts of a fellow Washingtonian, Corinne Gregory and her Social Smarts website, where she notes, her concern on the methodology, “I’m concerned that we continue to deal with the problem of bullying in a continuing “outside-in” approach. Let’s try to manage and mitigate it rather than work on preventing it.” I agree with Corinne’s observation, we need to come at bullying both physical and online from all sides.
The Seattle Public Schools in keeping with the Washington State mandate has developed a curriculum to address cyber bullying. The curriculum’s lesson plans include nine segments. Take a few moments and read the entire document. In my opinion this is a good curriculum and one which if broadly emulated would make a dent. I think one of the most important topics touched upon is the role of the bystander and how to stand up for others.
Lesson 1: Respect and Responsibility
Lesson 2: What Is Cyberbullying?
Lesson 3: Cyberbullying across Devices and Services
Lesson 4: Cyberbullying Impacts and Consequences
Lesson 5: Cyberbullying Techniques and Scenarios
Lesson 6: What to Do If You’re Being Cyberbullied
Lesson 7: What to Do If You’re A Bully
Lesson 8: Standing Up For Others
Much has been accomplished, more is required.
Update: August 29, 2010 – A few weeks ago a young man with Aperger’s Syndrome passed away due to a rare heart defect. Reading the memorial blog posted by his mother, Lisa Freeman touched me and I think it will touch you. I commend it to your attention: Brian, He lived and died forgiving his bullies. Brian showed his strength through the act of foregiveness, we can show our wisdom through our efforts to teach tolerance, acceptance and respect. Please engage.
Links:
Online Safety: Electronic Harassment – The Incidious Ills of Our Online Society
National Conference of State Legislators: “Cyber bullying and the States“
Social Smarts: Bullying and School Violence Twitter: @sociallysmart
Seattle Public Schools: Middle School Cyberbullying Curriculum
Dr. Michelle Borba: Author, Speaker and Educational Consultant Twitter: @micheleborba
The symptom is the bullying. The disease is we are an angry nation that honors aggressive and obvious harassment. The pundits attack one another, the news is all about embarrassing histories and the entertainment tonight mentality thrives on disclosing ugly truths.
Reality TV with housewives, jerseyshore, big brother, hell's kitchen and a host of others demonstrate it is ok to act out and that displays of anger get you noticed.
The problem is in the home. We are angry and have no healthy outlet. It is the parents who must set standards, 0 tolerance and offer kids outlets for their anger. I saw a bumper sticker that gives specific permission to bully: My kid can beat up your honor student. That is the tip of the iceberg… But it certainly shows the location.
Bullying is a hot topic for me because my daughter has dealt with it and it can take on very covert forms, which can be harder to get school officials to deal with. It makes matters even worse when the “popular” kids are involved because the school administrator often have a hard time believing their “pets” could do something so mean and detrimental to another child.
Society has a moral obligation to deal with this issue. However I think that rather than deal with the problem, we need focus on a solution by being proactive and creating a culture in schools where kindness, inclusiveness, and helpfulness are cool. Posters with images of the type of action you want the kids to embrace, along with a tagline of reinforcement sets the emotional and mental image of what is expected.
As with most issues awareness is key and I believe busy parents and school administrators need to take their heads out of the sand and quit believing the lie that this is just a “rite of passage” or “normal” kid stuff. It’s not normal, nor should any of us believe that it is acceptable.
Thanks for shining the spotlight on this issue Christopher!
Christopher,
Thanks for shedding light on this important and up-and-coming threat to our youth (an others).
Hopefully it doesn't take too many tragic cases to enact and enforce realistic measure that reflect today's changing societal mores.