Cyberbullying in Schools

Teenage girl uses cell phone to send text message

Bullying is not a new issue among children, and it is especially not a new issue in schools. We've seen it for years through the media, and perhaps even in our own schooling experiences. In recent years, however, alongside the development of mobile technology, bullying has progressed as well. The popularized imageof the big-kid-steals-small-kid's-lunch-money has become a sort of myth only seen in movies, while today, the real bullies hide behind a touch screen. Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets, and this form of bullying has become increasingly prevalent among those kids with access to this technology. Messages, good and bad, can be sent in an instant, to a mere one person, or thousands.

As educators, cyberbullying is largely a grey area. Its development is relatively new, and despite the never ending anti-bullying campaigns, legislation, and resources, we still continue to face this issue. The vast majority of our students now carry mobile supercomputers in hand, 24/7. Whether its in the classroom, or even in the bathroom, these tiny screens aren't likely to be left behind. But what happens when our students leave the classroom? While the effects of cyberbullying can likely be seen by us, as educators, as well as other students, the act of cyberbullying itself is likely to take place elsewhere, outside of the school, and ultimately, out of our control. This begs the question, how could we possibly address an issue we cannot explicitly see, or solve a problem that isn't necessarily within our reach? As we learn more about the consequences of online medias, it is inevitable that we will find better, more effective solutions for keeping our students safe. In the meantime, however, we can seek to be a friend. We can remind our students that they aren't alone, and provide a helping hand wherever or whenever it is needed. Sometimes, these actions alone can make a world of difference.