The Bully's Perspective
Cyber bullying happens for many of the same reasons as any other type of bullying, such as feeling insecure, having watched another person act like a bully, having been bullied themselves, or feeling that bullying can get them what they want, including social acceptance or dominance over others but it may be even more appealing because it allows bullies to avoid facing their victims, so it requires less courage and provides the illusion that they won’t get caught (Delete cyber bullying, 2013). There are many characteristics of a bully which includes but is not limited to:
However the internet changed the rules, allowing bullying to be done anonymously making it difficult at times to readily detect who is the perpetrator. Similar to a traditional bully a cyber bully’s primary tactic used is to demonstrate their power/influence over others (Cyber smart, 2014). Cyber bullying almost always has a social context and is used to define/reinforce a social hierarchy where the hierarchical roles may be ambiguous within a context (Stop bullying, 2014). Almost all bullying requires that others observe and validate this hierarchical definition/reinforcement in order for it to accomplish its ends (Delete cyber bullying, 2013). When these sorts of behaviors are seen as invalidating (accomplishing the opposite objectives) then the entire system on which bullies rely to secure their hierarchical positioning in a group is undermined (Stop bullying, 2014).
- They are, more likely to be impulsive, aggressive or easily frustrated.
- They have trouble with rules and authority figures.
- They also tend to lack empathy for others.
However the internet changed the rules, allowing bullying to be done anonymously making it difficult at times to readily detect who is the perpetrator. Similar to a traditional bully a cyber bully’s primary tactic used is to demonstrate their power/influence over others (Cyber smart, 2014). Cyber bullying almost always has a social context and is used to define/reinforce a social hierarchy where the hierarchical roles may be ambiguous within a context (Stop bullying, 2014). Almost all bullying requires that others observe and validate this hierarchical definition/reinforcement in order for it to accomplish its ends (Delete cyber bullying, 2013). When these sorts of behaviors are seen as invalidating (accomplishing the opposite objectives) then the entire system on which bullies rely to secure their hierarchical positioning in a group is undermined (Stop bullying, 2014).
The School Perspective
The Queensland Government recognised the need for schools to establish programs and policies in relation to cyber bullying. Therefore the Government announced an agreement to partner with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF) to offer the eSmart Schools cybersafety framework to Queensland State Schools (Department of Education, Training and Employment [DETE], 2014). In addition, the Department has designed eye catching poster resources, known as ‘5p’s for a positive digital footprint’ These posters are aimed at assisting schools in promoting discussions about the importance and power of positive online behaviours and protecting their digital footprint (DETE, 2014).
Implementing a truly effective cyber safe education program involves taking a holistic approach that involves the entire school community in developing the policies and procedures that govern the school (Cyber smart, 2014). Many schools, school districts, and after-school clubs have established protocols for responding to cyber bullying; although these vary by district and state they all produce positive results (Bullying statistics, 2013). These protocols account that children have concerns about "tattling" and might prefer that the problem be handled privately. Governments, communities and schools are taking this matter seriously and are offering students confidential, unbiased support while also providing the education to provide victims and bullies with the tools to use so that appropriate on –line behavior is promoted.
The following clip demonstrates the Federal Government's initiative aimed at educating young people on how to stay safe online by distributing educational packs to schools around the nation. These packs contain lesson plans for teachers that cover topics such as online predators and cyber bullying in hope to teach kids how to deal with these situations.
(Essential kids, 2014).
The Queensland Government recognised the need for schools to establish programs and policies in relation to cyber bullying. Therefore the Government announced an agreement to partner with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF) to offer the eSmart Schools cybersafety framework to Queensland State Schools (Department of Education, Training and Employment [DETE], 2014). In addition, the Department has designed eye catching poster resources, known as ‘5p’s for a positive digital footprint’ These posters are aimed at assisting schools in promoting discussions about the importance and power of positive online behaviours and protecting their digital footprint (DETE, 2014).
Implementing a truly effective cyber safe education program involves taking a holistic approach that involves the entire school community in developing the policies and procedures that govern the school (Cyber smart, 2014). Many schools, school districts, and after-school clubs have established protocols for responding to cyber bullying; although these vary by district and state they all produce positive results (Bullying statistics, 2013). These protocols account that children have concerns about "tattling" and might prefer that the problem be handled privately. Governments, communities and schools are taking this matter seriously and are offering students confidential, unbiased support while also providing the education to provide victims and bullies with the tools to use so that appropriate on –line behavior is promoted.
The following clip demonstrates the Federal Government's initiative aimed at educating young people on how to stay safe online by distributing educational packs to schools around the nation. These packs contain lesson plans for teachers that cover topics such as online predators and cyber bullying in hope to teach kids how to deal with these situations.
(Essential kids, 2014).
The Educator's Perspective
It would be easy for the educator to avoid the issue of cyber bullying and believe it to be a topic which student’s parents should be addressing. However with the increased usage of computers within education programs and the fact that most students are carrying a mobile phone in their pocket for their entire school day makes it imperative that the educator does not place the issue at the end of their priority list. With most cyber bullies not understanding the consequences that their actions might have on the victims education becomes imperative (U know kids, 2014).
It is important to note that cyber bullying can happen accidentally. The impersonal nature of text messages, IMs, and emails make it very hard to detect the sender's tone — one person's joke could be another's hurtful insult (Stop cyber bullying, 2014). Nevertheless, a repeated pattern of emails, text messages, and online posts is rarely accidental (Law stuff know your rights, 2014). While online harassment may take place outside of school grounds the fallout is often seen at school and can interfere with the educational environment (Scholastic, 2014). These fallouts can cause students to lose focus on their studies and/or be too afraid or embarrassed to attend to school.
A strong home school connection will help educators and parents to converse with each other and detect any early warning signs that cyber bullying is taking place in a student’s life. While there is a flurry of activity in states to make tougher cyberbullying laws, "It's not something you can legislate or arrest your way out of," cautions Stephen Balkam, chief executive officer of the Family Online Safety Institute "It's always going to be a combination of tools, rules, and schools” (Scholastic, 2014). Schools and educators have a responsibility to educate all students, providing them with ways to avoid victimization and witness the effects of cyber bullying. The emphasis needs to be on creating a culture of responsible online Kids (Scholatic, 2014).
The following You Tube clip demonstrates how bullying can effect numerous lives and how events can escalate. Bystanders liking, commenting or sharing an image or video can mean it becomes more widely viewed by thousands. This is known as going viral where someone knows someone who knows someone and so on and because of these connections on a social media site the information each person views is seen by all of who are on their friends list. The clip shows how posting one photo may seem like harmless fun but can change lives forever. It also demonstrates how this can occur anywhere, even on school grounds. The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA, 2014) award winning anti-cyber bullying video, Tagged, has now been captioned in five languages widely spoken throughout the Australian community. Tagged explores the issue of cyberbullying in a realistic and powerful way for Australian teens. The video can be used as a stand-alone or classroom resource and may also be of interest to parents who wish to gain an insight into the types of issues their children may experience online (ACMA, 2014).
It would be easy for the educator to avoid the issue of cyber bullying and believe it to be a topic which student’s parents should be addressing. However with the increased usage of computers within education programs and the fact that most students are carrying a mobile phone in their pocket for their entire school day makes it imperative that the educator does not place the issue at the end of their priority list. With most cyber bullies not understanding the consequences that their actions might have on the victims education becomes imperative (U know kids, 2014).
It is important to note that cyber bullying can happen accidentally. The impersonal nature of text messages, IMs, and emails make it very hard to detect the sender's tone — one person's joke could be another's hurtful insult (Stop cyber bullying, 2014). Nevertheless, a repeated pattern of emails, text messages, and online posts is rarely accidental (Law stuff know your rights, 2014). While online harassment may take place outside of school grounds the fallout is often seen at school and can interfere with the educational environment (Scholastic, 2014). These fallouts can cause students to lose focus on their studies and/or be too afraid or embarrassed to attend to school.
A strong home school connection will help educators and parents to converse with each other and detect any early warning signs that cyber bullying is taking place in a student’s life. While there is a flurry of activity in states to make tougher cyberbullying laws, "It's not something you can legislate or arrest your way out of," cautions Stephen Balkam, chief executive officer of the Family Online Safety Institute "It's always going to be a combination of tools, rules, and schools” (Scholastic, 2014). Schools and educators have a responsibility to educate all students, providing them with ways to avoid victimization and witness the effects of cyber bullying. The emphasis needs to be on creating a culture of responsible online Kids (Scholatic, 2014).
The following You Tube clip demonstrates how bullying can effect numerous lives and how events can escalate. Bystanders liking, commenting or sharing an image or video can mean it becomes more widely viewed by thousands. This is known as going viral where someone knows someone who knows someone and so on and because of these connections on a social media site the information each person views is seen by all of who are on their friends list. The clip shows how posting one photo may seem like harmless fun but can change lives forever. It also demonstrates how this can occur anywhere, even on school grounds. The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA, 2014) award winning anti-cyber bullying video, Tagged, has now been captioned in five languages widely spoken throughout the Australian community. Tagged explores the issue of cyberbullying in a realistic and powerful way for Australian teens. The video can be used as a stand-alone or classroom resource and may also be of interest to parents who wish to gain an insight into the types of issues their children may experience online (ACMA, 2014).