Protect a bully? That’s ridiculous! Although it seems counterproductive to protect someone who threatens and abuses others, yes, even bullies need protection.
Bullies, both online and in the schoolyard, often act on spontaneous compulsions without thinking about the effects of their actions. Let’s be honest, not all bullies are intentionally trying to harm someone. Many think what they’re sharing is funny, not offensive or hurtful. And, those who are intentionally seeking to harm another often act on emotional impulse without having the proper coping skills to handle the situation responsibly. As you know, not all bullies are bad kids, just momentarily misdirected.
Technology in the 21st century has changed the profile of the average bully, as well as added a new platform for their moments of misdirection. The Internet and certainly social media have made it easier for both the intentional and nonintentional bully to harass schoolmates and fellow browsers. Hitting “enter” is far simpler than tagging graffiti messages across lockers or picking a fist-fight.
Cyberbullies, protected by their homes and the soft glow of their computer monitors, may also think that using a false identity will prevent them from being revealed. This can’t be further from the truth. What a teen posts online today may be tagged to them for years to come—using a false identity cannot save them from exposure. Potential employers and college scouts can be influenced by what they find—and online bullying, negative thoughts, and sexual content is not going to positively influence anyone looking for more insight.
Social media allows users to think only in the moment. Find something funny, share it. Come across something shocking, share it. Feel the urge to “zing” someone about a situation that happened earlier, post it, and of course tag the person you’re poking fun at for added effect. And, although this culture allows for spontaneous actions, it doesn’t easily forgive.
Often, users, and certainly students, are not conscious about what effects may arise from what they’re posting, lending them to serious risks—including legal risks. Cyberbullying can lead to legal charges. And, if the cyberbullying is sexual in nature or involves "sexting" (sending sexual text messages such as images and messages), the student can be registered as a sex offender, damaging his/her reputation and future opportunities for life.
21st century education includes educating students about online bullying. More than teaching about bullying aftershocks (emotional and physical), teachers should proactively address responsible online use, and online etiquette. It’s critical that students learn how to pause, think, and make smart decisions about what they’re sharing and saying online. Sure, parents and school officials can block sites and report abusive spammers and content. But, protecting online victims is only half the battle. Educating students about proper online behavior and making them aware of the repercussions of online harassment is essential in tackling the cyberbullying epidemic.
What is considered cyberbullying?
- The term cyberbullying applies to minors. When online harassment involves an adult, it is considered cyberharassment or cyberstalking.
What actions are considered cyberbullying?
- Capturing unflattering (humiliating) images of someone and then sharing them across one or varying digital technology platforms.
- Spreading rumors online and/or via text message.
- Taking on a false identity online for the purpose of harassing others.
- Stealing someone’s account information for the purpose of distributing damaging messages.
- Posting cruel, humiliating, embarrassing, or threatening messages about someone across one or varying digital technology platforms.
- Sexting—sending sexually suggestive materials across one or varying digital technology platforms.
Cyberbullying Statistics
Cyberbullying.us released a study in February 2010, sampling 4,441 youths between the ages of 10 and 18 from a large school district in southern U.S. This study revealed 20.8% of students have been cyberbullied at some point in their lifetime. 8.4% admitted to being threatened through a text message; 7.2% admitted to being threatened online; 5% admitted to being victim of a mean or hurtful picture of them posted online; and 14.3 admitted to being hurt by mean comments being posted online about them. In this same study, 19.4% admitted to cyberbullying others. Females seem to be more likely to be harassed online than males. 25.1% of females reported being bullied online, whereas only 16.6% of males reported online harassment.
Other articles of interest:
According to a New Study Teachers Ill-Prepared to Teach Cybersafety
Are Administrators Guilty When Bullying Leads to Suicide?
Efforts to End Bullying Spark New Concerns
Massachusetts Tracks Bullying
