Bullying and Technology
A growing problem in America’s schools is bullying. Today’s technological advancements have only increased this problem. Students use text messages and social media to bully and harass each other on a daily basis. Parents and educators are often left wondering what can be done to stop this practice.
Cyberbulling is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. This includes computers and cell phones. What differentiates cyberbulling from bullying is not just the instrument being used. Cyberbulling can occur at any hour of the day or night. Information can be posted anonymously on any social media site and be viewed by a large audience. And finally, total deletion of such comments is close to impossible once they have been posted or sent (stopbullying.gov, 2013).
In order to curtail and prevent acts of cyberbullying, educators and parents must share in the responsibility of being proactive. This begins by talking to the students. They must be made to understand that such behavior is unacceptable and that there are consequences for such actions. Consequences must be appropriate and dispensed in a consistent manner. Computer and cell phone usage should and must be monitored for bullying behaviors. School personnel have the ability to enforce technology policies and monitor student usage during the school day. Violations to such policies should be handled in an expedient manner. Concurrently, educators should instruct the students in the proper and responsible usage of the technology available to them.
To stop the increase in cyberbulling, we must come together as a community and respond to this crisis. Individuals who choose to use technology for such purposes need to understand that it will not be tolerated. This message begins in our homes and in our schools.
References
Cyberbulling. (2013). Retrieved from www.stopbulling.gov
A growing problem in America’s schools is bullying. Today’s technological advancements have only increased this problem. Students use text messages and social media to bully and harass each other on a daily basis. Parents and educators are often left wondering what can be done to stop this practice.
Cyberbulling is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. This includes computers and cell phones. What differentiates cyberbulling from bullying is not just the instrument being used. Cyberbulling can occur at any hour of the day or night. Information can be posted anonymously on any social media site and be viewed by a large audience. And finally, total deletion of such comments is close to impossible once they have been posted or sent (stopbullying.gov, 2013).
In order to curtail and prevent acts of cyberbullying, educators and parents must share in the responsibility of being proactive. This begins by talking to the students. They must be made to understand that such behavior is unacceptable and that there are consequences for such actions. Consequences must be appropriate and dispensed in a consistent manner. Computer and cell phone usage should and must be monitored for bullying behaviors. School personnel have the ability to enforce technology policies and monitor student usage during the school day. Violations to such policies should be handled in an expedient manner. Concurrently, educators should instruct the students in the proper and responsible usage of the technology available to them.
To stop the increase in cyberbulling, we must come together as a community and respond to this crisis. Individuals who choose to use technology for such purposes need to understand that it will not be tolerated. This message begins in our homes and in our schools.
References
Cyberbulling. (2013). Retrieved from www.stopbulling.gov