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Cyberbullying
What is cyberbullying? It is the act of
using Internet and mobile technologies to upset or humiliate another.
Unfortunately many people engage in cyberbullying without realising the
seriousness or consequences of their action.
It is really important that
schools, youth and other similar organisations understand how
cyberbullying happens, and act on reports of these incidents
promptly. All school and youth anti-bullying policies should be
updated to include guidance on cyberbullying.
It is also important that
schools, youth and other similar organisations educate young
people on safe use of Messenger and Social Network sites,
discussing issues like personal information, reputation, laws,
privacy, and data protection. They should also be supporting and
empowering staff and young people by having clear and meaningful
guidance on appropriate use of these technologies and services.
WISE KIDS offers training and
consultancy, presentations and workshops in this area, so get
don't hesitate to get in touch if you feel we can help.
WISE KIDS Advice for Schools
Tackling Cyberbullying
Some key points to consider:
1) Conduct a needs analysis to inform cyberbullying policy and
programme – get young people and staff involved.
2) Have a clear strategy and classroom guidance to tackle
cyberbullying.
3) Update anti-bullying policies to include cyberbullying.
4) Get up to date with new technologies and young people’s use
of these. Conduct appropriate training for staff (and
parents/young people?). Also use these sessions to explore
issues of ‘online safety, trust and responsibility’, ‘net
etiquette’ and ‘digital literacy’;
5) Discuss and communicate cyberbullying issues with young
people.
6) Implement and publicise a clear system of reporting – e.g.
anonymous reporting/ reporting directly to service providers/
reporting to the school council.
7) Work with authorities and service providers.
WISE KIDS Advice for Young People
1) Watch what personal information you
share online.
2) Never share passwords, not even with best friends.
3) Always log off after using Messenger, gaming or other social
network sites.
4) Don’t respond to bullies, no matter how tempting.
5) Don’t forward messages of abuse- you could be breaking the
law.
6) Keep all records of bullying – this may be an IM
conversation, an email or text message. This can be used by the
police, ISP or mobile phone company both as evidence of
harassment, and to trace bullies if they attempt to be
anonymous.
7) Think before you upload pictures onto a website, or send
pictures of someone via email, mobile phone, instant messenger
or social networking sites.
8) The online world is a real world, so be responsible in your
online actions, and treat others as you want them to treat you.
Other Resources
Childnet’s
Digizen site and DCSF
Guidance:
and
Childnet’s Cyberbullying Overview:
http://tinyurl.com/ycqvhrg
Cyberbullying and the Law:
Guidance from
TeachToday
Childline's
Anti-Bullying Resource
Bullies Out
http://www.bulliesout.com
Beatbullying
http://www.beatbullying.org and
their
resources:
Cybermentors (a Beatbullying project)
http://www.cybermentors.org.uk
Bullying UK
http://www.bullying.co.uk
Bullying.org
http://www.bullying.org
Mobile operator Orange have produced a short film entitled Incoming
Message, aimed at PSHE/PSD teachers of students aged 11-14. The film
follows a group of school children engaged in cyber-bullying by mobile
phone from the first text through to the court case, exposing the myth
of anonymity and giving advice on who can help. See
www.orange.co.uk/education
and
http://tinyurl.com/atr66k
How to bully proof yourself on Facebook
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=180189707130
and
http://mashable.com/2011/03/10/facebook-anti-bullying/
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