Journal 8: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying (Nets T-4)

Should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying. (2011). Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2011.aspx 

 Yes Schools Need to be Held Responsible

Bullying occurs on and off the school playground. It greatly affects the school environment. Therefore, it should not be ignored. Everyone including the community needs to take a proactive stance against cyber-bullying. It is important to never assume that such behaviors of students are typical. Administrators need to establish clear consequences. Parents, administrators, and teachers needs to enforce the consequences and be willing to contact the law enforcement. Parents need to be involved in what their children are doing online and on the cell phones. Students need to have a voice and be willing to tell a teacher, parent or administrator about the victims who are being targeted. 
-Renee Bogacz

No Schools Do Not Need to Be Held Responsible

Not everything can be solved in the classroom. This is the fault of society and the home environment where students come from. Children who come from a loving home have the vaccine against cyber-bullying, but those who are bullying others lack the love and support in their home. Cyber-bullying can be reduced if they received the basic support at home. Parents are the first educators of the children. What the school can do is establish a close relationship with the parents to get a basic understanding of the child. Schools can help parents recover their role as primary educators. A healthy family is the basis for a healthy society, and schools can only support that role.

-Miguel Gomes

Should schools be held responsible for cyber bullying?

It is understandable that the home is the primary educator but schools, parents, and the community need to be held responsible for cyber bullying. Students are born with technology all around them which only means more opportunities for kids to fall into easy trap of harassing or bullying.  We as educators need to also be responsible for educating students on cyber-bullying and its consequences. We need to teach students to speak up for those who are being victimized. Teachers need to learn to monitor sites on school grounds and be aware of the signs of bullying. Teachers need to be the filter which using computers in the classroom.

Why is it so important to monitor kids when on their phones or the computers?

A student at a high school posted “push a student day” on facebook. Students who pushed others earned points depending on how hard the push was, or if the victim fell to the floor. If the student pushed the janitors they received double points. By the end of the day the facebook post received over 300 students who wanted to partake in the act. A parent, who happened to monitor their child’s internet activity, called the principal warning them of what was to occur the next day at school.

Because the parent was actively monitoring their child’s technology use they were able to help stop bullying on campus. It is important for all to be aware of what their children or students are getting involved in because it could save someone’s life.