Cyberbullying

Overview:

Cyberbullying can be a scary topic. Bullying that we can see on the playground or in the classroom is already a trying topic, but bullying that is hidden behind a screen brings with it a host of new dynamics and difficulties.  Though adults might  think that Cyberbullying is something they do not have to worry about until children have access to social media, we know that is not the case. Children can encounter Cyberbullying in instant messaging or texting apps, on commonly accessed sites such as YouTube, or in online gaming. In each of these cases, your child might be the one being bullied, they might be digital bystander to the bullying, or they might be the one doing the bullying. Whatever the case might be, it is important as teachers and parents that we have tools to educate our children about Cyberbullying. This means teaching children what Cyberbullying looks like so they can identify when it is happening to themselves or their peers, teaching children how to treat others on the internet so they do not become a Cyberbully, and understanding what to do when we find out a child is either the victim or perpetrator of Cyberbullying.

Some Facts You Should Know:

1 in 3 kids say they’ve been cyberbullied.

Cyberbully 411 reports that 40% of kids say their cyberbullying took place on        instant messenger services. 30% said it happened on social networking sites, and 29% said they were bullied while playing an online game.

USA Today reports that girls generally mock others for their physical appearance, while boys tend to make more sexually explicit comments.

Cyberbullying is especially prevalent in middle school-aged kids (9-14). Source

Teaching Children to be Responsible Digital Citizens and Recognize Cyberbullying:

Children might think that because they say something from behind a screen, either it will not carry consequences or it will not hurt as bad as it would face-to-face. Therefore, before we expose our children to social-realms in the digital world, we must educate them on how to be responsible digital citizens.

The above video comes from Common Sense. They are a fantastic resource for parents and teachers on a host of topics related to Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy. I like the fact that they break topics down from multiple points of view. They have tabs at the top of their page for “Parents”, “Teachers”, and “Advocates”. Their “Parents” section provides a host of Cyberbullying resources for children of various ages: Link. Alternatively, their “Teachers” section takes the topic and breaks it down into Common Core aligned lessons that can be used in the classroom. Here is the lesson that goes with the above video, Power of Words, and here is a lesson specifically for Cyberbullying.

Another good resource comes from Google. They offer a resource for parents, children, and teachers called Be Internet Awesome: Link. It has a fun game for children in elementary school designed to teach them Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy. The site offers various resources for the classroom including lessons, trainings, posters, and badges. For parents, Google invites families to take a Digital Pledge. Google also offers a service called Family Link specifically aimed at parents introducing children to an Android device: Link.

Recognizing Where Cyberbullying Occurs

We must also be aware of where are children are likely to encounter Cyberbullying. Social media is a major culprit, but Cyberbullying can start long before children have access to social media. Specifically, children are likely to encounter Cyberbullying in messaging apps, on popular sites such as YouTube, and while playing online games. Knowing where children are likely to encounter Cyberbullying can help you prepare them for what they might find, help you monitor their activity, and provide you with tools to combat Cyberbullying should it occur.

StopBullying provides a quick overview of Cyberbullying in social media and video games with some tips to prevent Cyberbullying: Link. Huff post has an article focusing on what game developers can do to prevent Cyberbullying. Thought not aimed at parents, it can still offer ideas on what to look for in a game for your child: Link. YouTube and texting are two other areas children and adolescents are likely to encounter bullying. NoBullying has a nice, quick read on Cyberbullying in the YouTube space: Link, and Bullying Statistics offers a similar resource related to texting: Link.

Stop Cyberbullying Whether Your Child is the Victim or the Abuser:

Of course, some of the most important tools you can have at your disposal are tools related to combating Cyberbullying. A great place to look for help is the Cyberbullying Research Center. I really like their “Resources” page for parents: Link. You can find tools such as Cyberbullying Warning Signs, Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying, and What to do When your Child is Being Cyberbullied or Cyberbullying. They also offer some curriculum ideas and activities for educators.

My favorite resource might once again be Common Sense. They offer a Cyberbullying Toolkit that is aimed at not only parents and teachers, but students as well: Link. Teachers can design and use lessons focused on preventing and recognizing Cyberbullying, parents can learn how to discuss such a sensitive topic with their children, and students can earn a Digital Passport recognizing them as a responsible digital citizen.

Cyberbullying is an extremely important topic. The consequences of Cyberbullying are as detrimental as the consequences of in-person bullying. If anything, Cyberbullying might be more dangerous because it is hidden on the devices of victims and abusers. You cannot wait to address it when you see it on the playground, in the classroom, or on a neighborhood corner. Instead, you have to be proactive when it comes to Cyberbullying. We must teach our children how to be responsible digital citizens in order to prevent Cyberbullying, and we must teach our children and ourselves to recognize the signs of Cyberbullying in order to prevent it from escalating when it inevitably occurs.