'Cyberbullying' can be problem
Alan Robbins / For the Hungry Horse News
In Mr. Wick's last school column, he discussed the ramifications of cell phones and the difficulties they create in schools. Another area of technology that creates difficulty in schools is student access and use of social networking sites such as My Space and Facebook. Social networks have become a regular part of daily life for many teens and adults. The sites encourage and enable people to exchange information about themselves, share pictures and videos, and communicate with friends and others with common interests. Social networks provide people with an opportunity to individualize their personal site and to share information with their group of friends. While there are many appropriate uses and positive experiences associated with the use of social networks, there are also pitfalls that parents need to be aware and should monitor.
Social networks, and other digital communication, provide an exposure to people that have less than friendly intentions. These intentions often result in students being bullied through harmful postings, online harassment, or intimidation. Individuals can become victims of cyberbullying wherever they have access to a cell phone or the Internet.
Schools have taken measures to limit the impact of cyberbullying during school by blocking access to social network sites through the use of filtering technologies. School computers and Internet access are to be used for educational purposes and not for communication on social networks. While students are not allowed to be on the sites during the school day, this does not eliminate the impact cyberbullying has on the school environment and individual students. Postings that occur outside of school are often discussed during school and when inappropriate, they lead to disruptions in the education environment and even physical altercations. This leads to the determination of what actions the school can take to resolve the situation.
If the posting occurs during school hours, the school has full jurisdiction and responsibility to intervene and to assign appropriate consequences. If the posting occurred off campus then the administrator investigating the incident must demonstrate that the posting has created a negative impact on the learning environment. Reported incidents of bullying are investigated to determine where the offense took place and to determine if it has (or is' impacting learning environment. These incidents create a new challenge for schools and can consume a considerable amount of time investigating and bringing the situation to a resolution. Preventive measures involve educating students about appropriate use of the Internet and about the impact postings may have on others. A discussion about a fellow student may be thought of as being between two individuals, but once posted the information is readily available.
Parents can help create a positive social networking experience by following a few simple guidelines. First, keep computers in easily viewable places, such as a family room or kitchen. Talk regularly with your child about online communication and be specific about the risks of cyberbullying. Set clear expectations for your child's online behavior and explain the consequences for violating your expectations. Be aware of signs indicating your child may have experienced online bullying such as a reluctance to use the computer, a change in their behavior or mood, or reluctance to go to school. Help your child understand that even with privacy settings turned on, some or all of their profile may be seen by a broader audience then they realize.
Alan Robbins is principal at Columbia Falls High School.