Cyberbullying Prevention
A 2014 survey conducted by McAfee released the following results:
- 87% of you state they have witnessed cyberbullying
- 50% of students have been in an argument due to something posted on social media
When it comes to understanding just who can gain access to your information and from what channels, students reported the following:
- 61% enabled privacy settings on their social media
- 52% did not turn off GPS allowing their locations to be broadcast to others
- 14% had posted had posted their home address on a social media site
49% of students state they have regretted something that they posted online (McAfee, 2014)
Students
Privacy Matters Technology has connected us more than ever. We have access to information in an instant, and can share with millions of strangers with the push of a button (or swipe of a touchscreen). Social Media sites provide privacy settings, however they frequently make changes to the settings so something that may have been private before, is now public. There also is no such thing as being totally anonymous. If needed, posts can be traced back to reveal the person who originally posted. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Protect Passwords Others can alter your online identity, posting as you if they have access to your passwords. To protect your online identity, do not share your password, and update it regularly, especially if you think someone has gained access. You should share passwords with parents should an emergency arise. Create an agreement with parents on when and how they can use your passwords to access your information. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Stop and Think When typing in a text box, emotion is removed and often the wrong emotion can be attached to a statement by the receiver. Due to the inability to see the others reaction, the sender cannot course correct if they see the reader is misinterpreting. This can lead to unintentional cyberbullying. In a study where 12 participants were asked to write two statements on assigned topics with one being serious and one being sarcastic, 97% stated they believed the reader would interpret correctly when only 84% were labeled correctly (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Say Something Research suggests that 50-75% of students who have been bullied do not tell an adult (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Social media gives students a front row seat to witness cyberbullying, and with the spread of social media, most students assume one of eight roles in cyberbullying. These roles can change with each instance of cyberbullying. With the desire to secure their status, or avoid becoming a victim themselves, most assume a bystander role. According to researcher, Dan Olweus, these eight roles include (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012)
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Prevention in Schools
Educators play an important role in helping to intervene, provide resources, and partner with parents to teach the importance of Digital Citizenship. While instances of cyberbullying often occur off school grounds, it is often between students and the impact carries over into the educational environment. In a 2001 study it was found that 53% of students were cyberbullied or cyberbullied others (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Students who have been cyberbullied show higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and poor academic performance. Students who experience cyberbullying at home and at school are at higher risk. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Patti Agatston, a leading professor in the research of Cyberbullying, wants educators to recognize the link between academics and cyberbullying, and why focusing on it is an important use of their time. Her research suggests that schools that address cyberbullying see an improvement in attendance and student's performance. (Levy, 2011) Steps educators can take to prevent cyberbullying include: Assess the current climate Anonymous surveys can provide Educators a snapshot of the current reality in their schools, and use the data to create prevention programs. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Provide training for staff The conversation needs to move beyond online safety, and towards digital citizenship. Educators, like parents need to be aware of the online platforms, the school's policy, and understand what it means for them to model digital citizen behavior. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Define Cyberbulliyng Schools must provide a clear definition so that students, teachers, administrators, and parents can discuss what it is and is not. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Develop clear rules and policies on cyberbullying Cyberbullying should be addressed in the school's anti-bullying policy and incorporated in any student policies for the use of technology. It should clearly define what constitutes a violation and its consequences. (Hirsch, Lowen & Santorelli, 2012) Create a reporting system In the McAfee study, 24% of students stated they wouldn't know what to do if harassed or bullied online. The creation of an online reporting system in schools could help eliminate the uncertainty and create a safe space to report anonymously or otherwise. (Hirsch, Lowen & Santorelli, 2012) Share Resources As parents and educators continue to stay up to date on trends, strategies and issues, it is important to share their findings with one another. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) Spend time in class on the topic of cyberbullying Organizations like Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) provide curriculum and resources for educators to bring into the classroom. Involve students in social campaigns In a 2011 study, schools who utilized student leadership to promote anti bullying campaigns, found that this drove the idea that cyberbullying was not a supported social norm leading to less bullying behavior among students (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012) |
Parents
Understand the Online Environment
In a 2010 Pew Research Report, 73% of teens participated in a social networking site (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012). As parents you do not have to join social networks, but it is important to know what sites your child is using, and understand how they work. It is also important to be aware of other sites and technology to know more than they do (McAfee, 2014).
Open Communication
Having the understanding of social media and technology allows for open conversations. It needs to go beyond just conversation on internet safety and who you engage. Parents need to teach about digital citizenship and guidelines for uploading and sharing content in a way that protects privacy and is considerate of others. A 2010 survey by Common Sense Media found that 3 out of 4 parents think social networking sites do not adequately protect children's privacy (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012).
Snooping vs. Monitoring
As parents, it is important to recognize that technology allows children to develop their independence, but it is a parents responsibilty to help walk them through understanding the relationship between risk and reward (Clark, 2013) In interviews with students, Clark stated that students who had parents ask to see their profile were more willing to share information. Many parents have their own online presence, but children can quickly differentiate if it is to monitor them or or for their own personal use. (Clark, 2013)
There are monitoring tools that parents can install that allow them to track their child's profiles, emails and texts. Lynn Schofield Clark cautions that this can be seen as an invasion of privacy to the child and lead to them not being willing to have open communication with parents. (Clark, 2013). If a parent chooses to install a monitoring tool like Safety Web, Spectorsoft, or IamBigBrother, they need to make their child aware they will be monitoring activity. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012).
Teach Reputation Management
It is important that your child knows there is no expiration date on what they post online. (McAfee, 2014). Parents should occasionally Google their child's name to see what information is returned. This is an opportunity to also show your child what appears and how it can impact their online reputation and how other parents, colleges, and future employers may also seek this information (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012).
In a 2010 Pew Research Report, 73% of teens participated in a social networking site (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012). As parents you do not have to join social networks, but it is important to know what sites your child is using, and understand how they work. It is also important to be aware of other sites and technology to know more than they do (McAfee, 2014).
Open Communication
Having the understanding of social media and technology allows for open conversations. It needs to go beyond just conversation on internet safety and who you engage. Parents need to teach about digital citizenship and guidelines for uploading and sharing content in a way that protects privacy and is considerate of others. A 2010 survey by Common Sense Media found that 3 out of 4 parents think social networking sites do not adequately protect children's privacy (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012).
Snooping vs. Monitoring
As parents, it is important to recognize that technology allows children to develop their independence, but it is a parents responsibilty to help walk them through understanding the relationship between risk and reward (Clark, 2013) In interviews with students, Clark stated that students who had parents ask to see their profile were more willing to share information. Many parents have their own online presence, but children can quickly differentiate if it is to monitor them or or for their own personal use. (Clark, 2013)
There are monitoring tools that parents can install that allow them to track their child's profiles, emails and texts. Lynn Schofield Clark cautions that this can be seen as an invasion of privacy to the child and lead to them not being willing to have open communication with parents. (Clark, 2013). If a parent chooses to install a monitoring tool like Safety Web, Spectorsoft, or IamBigBrother, they need to make their child aware they will be monitoring activity. (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012).
Teach Reputation Management
It is important that your child knows there is no expiration date on what they post online. (McAfee, 2014). Parents should occasionally Google their child's name to see what information is returned. This is an opportunity to also show your child what appears and how it can impact their online reputation and how other parents, colleges, and future employers may also seek this information (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2012).