In today’s digital age, technology is used for practically everything. From entertainment to education, the possibilities are endless. Technology has so many benefits both inside and outside of the classroom, but along with those benefits come some drawbacks--one of which is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place specifically over digital devices and it can happen in many different ways. No matter what device or method of communication in which cyberbullying occurs, it often has negative impacts on students’ emotional and mental health. Cyberbullying knows no bounds--it can occur in both the virtual school setting, like at PA Virtual, and in a brick and mortar school as well. Whether your student is in a virtual or brick and mortar school environment, cyberbullying can occur at any time--students have constant access to their peers via social media, email and messaging both in and outside of the classroom. Due to modern technology, students never really get a break away from their peers. Because of this, it is so important to not only be able to recognize cyberbullying, but also to be able to take action against it.
According to stopbullying.gov, cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can take on many forms and can occur in any digital space in which you can have communication with another person--this can include but is not limited to social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok, etc.), text messaging, online forums and chat rooms, messaging boards, email, online gaming communities, and even in the virtual classroom. Cyberbullying occurs when an individual shares, sends, or posts negative, harmful, untrue, or mean content about another person. It can also include the sharing of personal or private information about another person to cause embarrassment or humiliation--some cyberbullying can even cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. In a brick and mortar school, this could take the form of one student embarrassing another via social media by posting false information, or leaving inappropriate comments on another student’s posts. In a virtual setting like PA Virtual, this could look like one student constantly name-calling another in the chat box during class, or spreading rumors about another student via email. Because technology is so present in our lives today, and cyberbullying comes with that territory, it is important for both students and parents to be able to recognize and identify cyberbullying. If you are able to recognize cyberbullying, you will be able to step up, take action, and make a difference.
There are many ways in which students and their parents can combat cyberbullying.
Firstly, parents should encourage open communication at home. If your child tells you about or shows you a text, comment or post that is harsh, mean or cruel, have a conversation with your child about it. Ask them how the situation makes them feel and what they think they should do about it. Being someone that your child can come to when they experience something like cyberbullying can make your child feel like they aren’t alone. Beyond their parents, students can turn to their teachers, principals and counselors. Teachers are often the first line of defense when it comes to stopping cyberbullying in its tracks. Teachers at PA Virtual strive to have inclusive and culturally responsive classrooms in which students feel welcomed, valued, and safe. Beyond the classroom, students can reach out to their counselor who can talk with students about their concerns and even hold mediation conferences between students or groups of students who have had situations where cyberbullying could be present. Our principals at PA Virtual have an “open door policy”-- they encourage students to reach out to them if they are in need or experiencing any issues, including cyberbullying. Help isn’t only available in school and during school hours though. There are external resources available outside of the school environment. Those resources include Safe2SaySomething.org, The STOMP Out Bullying Live HelpChat Crisis Line, and other community resources. It’s also important to recognize that your child might not be ready to, or even know how to, advocate for themselves when it comes to cyberbullying. Being able to step in and advocate for your child when necessary can help protect their emotional well-being, ensure their concerns are addressed, and prevent further harm.
So how can you prevent finding yourself in a situation with a cyberbully? First thing’s first: it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your child online. When creating any kind of account online, it is important to use secure passwords and to always review your privacy settings to ensure that your account is as safe as possible. Parents and children should have an open-line of communication--together they should establish rules about appropriate digital behavior, content, and apps. Parents should stay up-to-date on the latest apps, social media platforms, and even digital slang used by children and teens. There are even free software options and apps available to help parents better monitor their child’s digital activities. These programs allow parents to restrict specific content, block domains, or view their child’s online activities, such as social media, without having to look at their child’s device every day. Most of the free software options provide some monitoring features for free, but charge for more in-depth insight on your child’s online activities. Here at PA Virtual, we strive to foster a positive and respectful online learning community for our students. We encourage positive interactions in our virtual classrooms and teach our students the importance of respecting their teachers, their peers, and themselves by being responsible digital citizens.
While technology offers incredible opportunities for both education and social connection, it can also present challenges such as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can have serious impacts on students’ emotional and mental well-being. Whether your student is in a virtual or brick and mortar school environment, cyberbullying can occur at any time. Because of this, it is essential that students and parents are able to recognize it and address it. Open communication, online safety measures, and utilizing available resources such as teachers, counselors, principals, Safe2SaySomething.org and the STOMP Out Bullying Live HelpChat Crisis Line can help prevent and combat cyberbullying. By fostering a positive and uplifting digital environment and having open lines of communication with our children, we can ensure that students feel safe and supported both online and offline.
Here are some helpful resources for you to use if you're encountering cyber-bullying:
https://www.stompoutbullying.org/helpchat
https://www.safe2saypa.org/
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Comments