Cyber-bullying

**Cyber-Bullying** ​ **Update** CNN article on the suicide of Phoebe Prince. Bullying via texts as well as at school are being linked to her death. [] 

This is the first article I ran across that distinguished the difference in bullying and cyber-bullying, and explicitly looked at them as two separate entities. “ The substantial divergence between the two forms of bullying indicates there is a distinctive user mentality associated with cyberspace which may affect policy development in the area” (Cassidy, Jackson, Brown, 2006). The use of technology allows one to withhold their identity; by remaining anonymous, people who normally would not bully are given the power to. One possible intervention discussed was having school districts extend AUPs (or Acceptable Use Policies) to home computers and use of the internet.
 * Cassidy, W., Jackson, M., Brown, K. (2006). Cyber-Bullying: Developing Policy to Direct Responses that are Equitable and Effective in Addressing this Special Form of Bullying. ****Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 57, 1-36. **

Technology and social networking are the norm today for students in middle school and high school. Cell phones, chat rooms, and websites have provided a new playground for which bullying occurs. This article seeks to examine which technologies students are using and how they are using it to help educators and policy makers take preventative measures to curb cyber-bullying. This article cited a study conducted in 6-9 grades in five schools in British Columbia, Canada.
 * Cassidy, W., Jackson, M., Brown, K. (2009). Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, but How Can Pixels Hurt Me?: Students’ Experiences with Cyber-Bullying. School Psychology International, 30(4), 383-402. **

This study on cyber-bullying attempted to discover a link between the psychological needs of the bully and persons who are victimized through cyber-bullying. The study was conducted at a university in Turkey (using undergrad students only). Through an introductory survey, it was discovered that less than ¼ of the group admitted to being a cyber-bully. However, over 55% admitted to being a victim of cyber-bullying at least once in their life. The study addressed how in some ways, cyber-bullying causes more damage to its victim than “traditional bullying,” and looked at the characteristics of the bully and of the victim.
 * Dilmac, Bulent. (2009). Psychological needs as a Predictor of Cyber-Bullying: A Preliminary Report on College Students. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 9(3), 1307-1325. **

I enjoyed reading this study. I found it interesting how more males reported being the bully than females. The author suggested that females are more likely to engage in indirect bullying (i.e. gossiping) than direct cyber-bullying. It should also be mentioned that cyber-bullying may lead to greater psychological issues for its victims than traditional bullying. Most bullying used to occur in schools during the day. Cyber-bullying can occur anywhere, at anytime, and is more readily available to a worldwide audience.

This article explores two rising issues in bullying: 1) more girls are engaging in more bullying and 2) bullying is no longer designated to schools between the hours of 8am-3pm. The article references a Chicago Tribune Magazine article by Jessica Reeves who states girls "are simply responding, superficially, to a less generous, faster-paced, more cutthroat society" by behaving more like--or worse than--boys.” Whatever the reason, teachers are noticing a big difference in how boys and girls handle their bullying. Boys will act out aggressively, where as girls tend to internalize it and lose focus on school work, relationships, and mental health. The article looked at how school administration, teachers, and counselors are handling the rapid increase of cyber-bullying.
 * Goddard, C. (2008). H8@Skul: Cyber World Bullying. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 73(7), 4-9. **

Again, this article raises the question about the 1st Amendment and a student’s right to free speech as one reason school districts are reluctant to act when the bullying takes place outside of school. The Secret Service released a study after Columbine and other fatal school shootings that pretty much summed it up: The gunman felt they were being bullied. Surdin, A. (2009, January 01). In several states, a push to stem cyber-bullying: Most of the Laws Focus on Schools. The Washington Post, A03. ** This article, published in the Washington Post, looks at new laws states are considering to curb the threat of cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying is an increasingly alarming phenomenon over the past few years, and it has led to a push among states to pass laws aimed at clamping down on harassment, intimidation and threats that occur online in cyber land. In January 2009, California schools began suspending and/or expelling students who bully other students online. Opponents of the new laws are crying foul over the first amendment rights of students. School districts are not sure how to police students outside of school who have access to the technology at home. Another problem arises with the anonymity of the internet. How can school officials really know who is actually threatening or harassing the victim?
 * 

This article brought up a number of good points. I support my students’ rights for free speech, but at the same time I applaud school districts that are stepping up and holding students accountable for how they treat their peers online while they think nobody is looking. The article went on to mention a statistic – 4 out 10 teens admit to being bullied online. I would be much more interested to see the numbers for how many teens admit to being the bully online. Critics of the new laws say what students do outside of school is the responsibility of the parents and NOT the schools. Unfortunately, many students do not have involved parents or parents who are technologically savvy and up-to-date with the ways bullying occurs (i.e. online, cell phones, etc).

=__Additional Links:__ = =[|Stop Cyber-Bullying] = =[|National Crime Prevention Council] = = = [|NETSMARTZ]

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