~Journal 5 (NETS-T I, IV, V): Cyberbullying~

Bogacz, R, & Gordillo, M. (2011). Iste: learning and leading in technology. Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying?, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx 

 

Bullying is prominent in all forms and internet is slowly becoming a key source and easily accessible to continue bullying. It is important that we acknowledge this source of bullying as educators.  We can either acknowledge that bullying is going to happen and that we must take responsibility for it or take the greater of two evils and just simply ignore it. We have to educate ourselves in how to protect our students and build an outlet for them to express themselves and freely talk about any issues or concerns. We can either be the mediator or the cause of low self-esteem in our students. We are their supports, their guides, their protectors and as such, we need to build up the defenses to make a safe environment for our students. We have to lend our helping hands to the students that need it. The ones that don’t seek help but need it. Just like regular bullying; cyber-bullying is no different and we must treat them the same and deal with them in the same way.

Q1: Who all can help stop cyber bullying and in what ways?

A1: Cyber-bullying can be stopped by teachers, parents, students and administrators. We can stop this by educating ourselves about it and seeking help if we are victims of it. There should be no reason we cannot stop cyber bullying if we learn how dangerous it can be to lives and our self-esteem.

Q2: Why may a school not be responsible for protecting from cyber-bullying?

A2: Educators and administrators cannot always be responsible for what happens out of school. Much of the cyber bullying remains outside of the school grounds. Much of what causes cyber bullying is an inadequate feeling of love or self-esteem that stems from home and the social life outside of the school. If there are plenty of preventatives at school then it stems from outside of just school and needs to be taken care of by peers at home.