Cyber Safety
Be safe online
Technology can be of immense benefit but unfortunately it can also be used to cause harm to others. For example, it is often much easier to make a hurtful comment via text in an instant message, email or SMS, than to say the same thing in person.
Cyber Safety is an essential responsibility for educators, parents and students.
What is cyber bullying?
Cyber bullying is the use of technology to intentionally cause harm to others. Bullying usually involves a differential of power, where there is a clear victim or victims and perpetrator. However, any act that causes intentional harm to others can be viewed as bullying.
Cyber bullying is bullying via information and communication tools such as the internet or a mobile phone. It is a growing concern in our gadget-obsessed generation. While cyber bullying may not take place at school, it has detrimental effects to the school community.
We need to educate young people about all acts of bullying. We should encourage students to speak up and refuse to allow a bullying culture to exist. We need to actively encourage problem solving.
Conflict resolution skills can be taught to students through pastoral care programs and occasional individual or small group counselling sessions.
Understanding technology
Those who engage in cyber bullying need to be aware of the consequences. Almost all messages can be traced, even if an ‘anonymous’ screen name or email address is used. The user’s computer has a certain IP (Internet Protocol) address that is recorded by most web and email services and this can be traced back to the user via their ISP. All mobile phone text messages can be traced. Criminal charges could be filed under several State and Commonwealth laws.
Technology continues to assist us in many ways as long as it is used appropriately.
Reasons for engaging in cyber bullying
There is limited research on specific traits and motivation for cyber bullying. However, traits such as impulsivity, acting without thinking about the consequences, perceiving others’ actions as hostile or threatening may be a reason why individuals engage in bullying type behaviours. Cyber bullies may often consider their actions as a ‘joke’ or a ‘harmless prank’. Others may engage in such behaviour because they are bored or feel like starting a fight.
Teaching empathy and kindness
Friendship groups will change through the course of your daughter’s education. This is particularly evident in grade 5, towards the end of year 7, during year 8 and even in year 11. This is natural and should not be a great cause of concern.
Young people will have differences in opinion; they will occasionally brush up against in each other, but they will develop skills to deal with such differences. More than ever, character traits such as empathy and kindness are essential to nurture and develop in our young people.
Asking questions like, “How will that person feel if they received this message from me?” or “What am I gaining from sending this message?” are important questions to reflect on.
Setting boundaries and communication
We all need boundaries. Parents have an obligation to monitor their children’s activities online. While social networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook provide opportunities to engage and interact with others in a positive manner, there should be clear guidelines in place to encourage safe and effective use. For example, most students should flag their profiles as ‘private’ and only add people as ‘friends’ if they know who they are and are comfortable in doing so.
YouTube provides an opportunity to create a video and present it to the world! But it can often attract negative and degrading comments that can be fragile to a young person’s self esteem. It often starts out as fun, but can quickly get out of hand.
Communication and trust are essential.
Parents need to have clear internet and mobile phone agreements with their children. Effective parenting is closely linked with open lines of communication between parents and children. We need to teach students electronic communication etiquette and help young people understand what constitutes acceptable behaviour and what does not.
We all have a responsibility to work together to address harassment that interferes with every student’s right to an education in a safe environment.
Reference:
Bhat, S.C., (2008) Cyber bullying: Overview and strategies for school counsellors, guidance officers and all school personnel. Australian Journal or Guidance and Counselling. Vol18(10), 55 -66.