Module 6: Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is an unfortunately common and damaging side effect of the increased prevalence of the internet, particularly social media websites, and communication technology devices such as mobile phones. With the introduction of these technologies into curriculums, it then becomes the responsibility of schools to protect the security and well-being of students in terms of how they are treated and treat others online. 

Holladay (2010) states that the banning or limitation of use of technologies like cell phones and social media applications isn't enough to stop online bullying. The overwhelming consensus among educators and academia is that teachers, students, and parents have to be educated about bullying in order to encourage empathy and understanding, teach online safety skills, and equip young people with strategies to deal with digital abuse. Fredrick (2013) actually advocates using social media to raise awareness of the problem, by sharing links to articles and websites about cyberbullying and prevention strategies as well as having students share their ideas on dealing with cyberbullying.

The eSaftey Office (2015) provide a source of up to date information and resources about online safety. Educating students and providing them easy access to these learning resources is a positive step in a defence against cyber bullying within and outside of the classroom. Preventative measures, that ensure that bullying does not occur to begin with, is a more effective measure than simply dealing with the effects of cyberbullying after the event. 

The eSaftey Office (2015) advocate the encouragement of behavioural change so there is a shift in the culture of online interactions to reflect the way students would interact in real life. The view of internet bullying needs to be elevated to have the same seriousness and consequence as face-to-face bullying. Therefore, within the classroom, students need to be directly instructed on the correct and ethical use of technology that they are to use throughout the course. Chen (2016) conducted a study to engage a group of students in a project about the issues related to cyberbullying.The results showed students had a heightened awareness of cyberbullying and other social issues after completing the task. Such a task could be incorporated into a lesson plan to educate students about healthy online behaviours. The study also showed that students had an overall positive attitude towards the project.

Klisanin (2013) encourages teachers to help students recognise characteristics of a cyberbully and have students reflect on their position in terms of how they can help, so that they advocates of change among other students. The government provides access to an online complaint system for serious targeted cases of cyber bullying of children, where they can assist in taking down material on social media websites for example when the website does not comply with internet safety regulations (eSaftey Office, 2015). Teachers can make sure that students are informed of such options for if they are a victim of cyberbullying.


References 

Chen, C. (2016). “Think before you type”: the effectiveness of implementing an anti-cyberbullying project in an EFL classroom, Pedagogies: An International Journal, pp.1-18. Retrieved from http://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/doi/abs/10.1080/1554480X.2017.1363046 

eSafety Office. (2015, August 19). About the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ts9JxA0evw

Fredrick, K. (2013). Dealing with Cyberbullying: Educating Students, School Library Monthly, 30(1), pp. 24-25. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/docview/1509041802/fulltext/939353DE95F94D2FPQ/1?accountid=10344

Holladay, J. (2010). Cyberbullying: e stakes have never been higher for students—or schools. Teaching Tolerance, 38, pp. 42-46 

Klisanin, D. (2013). The Cyber-bully vs. The Cyber-hero [online] retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.co/blmog/digiral-altruism/201304/thecyber-bully-vs-the-cyber-hero

Comments

  1. Unknown7 October 2017 at 21:32

    Hi, really impressed with your response as it covers all areas for questioning. This shows you have really engaged in the content and reading list for this week. I also agree that teaching online safety skills is vital for students to understand the issues surrounding cyber bullying.

    Rachael

    ReplyDelete

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