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Preventing Cyberbullying

Advice for teachers

Cyberbullying: Identification, Prevention and Response.

Some experts (Mason, 2008; Willard, 2007) suggest that it is important for schools to take preventive measures against cyberbullying and to respond to incidents and maintaining a safe school environment. It is important that the whole school community should be aware of what cyberbullying is and the impact it has and how it is possible to create a safe school environment.

Recent research studies underline five key points to address cyber bullying and provide an effective and integrated approach to prevention at the same time:

• Understanding and talking about cyberbullying: it is important to give a correct definition of cyberbullying, the way in which it differs from other forms of bullying and to be aware of impact and emotional consequences

• Improving existing practices and policies: developing new procedures to prevent and respond effectively to incidents of electronic aggression, maintaining and monitoring them to ensure consistency in investigating, supporting and sanctioning cyberbullying.

• Reporting incidents of cyberbullying: the whole school community as well pupils and parents, should understand the importance of immediately reporting incidents that happen to them and that they witness

• Promoting the responsible use of new technologies

• Evaluating the impact of prevention activities and of response actions.

M.L. Genta describes the characteristics of cyberbullying

Preventing

Each school should adopt a policy developing positive and responsible use of Internet and mobile phone:

• Clear rules about the use of software and access to networks must be provided by the school (computers, virtual learning environments and access to the internet).

• Using filtering and tracking software on all computers in the school.

• Encouraging and adopting prevention programs that include lessons about what is meant by ‘cyberbullying' and its effects and, above all, make sure students understand that publishing photographs, video or private information, sending vulgar messages online or through text messages by mobile phone is a form of cyberbullying. Lessons must also include information to bystanders on how to report and respond to incidents.

L. Berdondini points out some guidelines that teachers can use in the classroom referring to responsability of bystanders.

According Papuzza (2008, Education and New Media) a safe and responsible user is:

• able to use the instrument from a technical viewpoint

• someone who recognises and can deal with the emotions resulting from the use of New Media

• prepared to take responsibility for the consequences of his/her own decisions

• aware of the respect that is rightfully due to all users, including him/herself

Hinduja and Patchin (Activities for Teens: Ten ideas for youth to educate communities about Cyberbullying) have identified a "top ten" list of activities that young people can play out and where it is essential that they can be involved in the process of prevention and response:

• research the problem;

• interview experts;

• create informative posters;

• develop website, blog or Facebook group;

• mentor younger students

• teach your younger friends and relatives;

• write a letter to local newspapers;

• create a public service announcement;

• build an awareness or pledge campaign: produce creative t-shirts, pins, stickers;

• review your school policy on bullying and cyberbullying

Advice for Teachers - Responding to episodes

Episod Assestment

If the episode occurs in the school, you must immediately investigate the incident, if it occurs outside of the school it is useful to consider what actions can be carried out:

• save the evidence, messagges, websites and instant-message.

• identify the aggressor.

• support the victim: to provide technical assistance and emotional support.

• monitor the behavior of the victim so he/she can use the resources of the school or other forms of support.

• talk to the students about what cyberbullying is and its effects.

Use informal and formal strategies for solutions:

• inform the parents of the victim as well as of the offender about the known and suspected incidents that occurred.

• contact the Postal Police if the episode involves a serious threat such as violence, extortion or pornography.