The term "cyberbullying" refers to the use of the Internet and/or mobile technology to harass, intimidate, or cause harm to another per the criminal law terminology. Cyberbullying is not blind to age, sex, race or money, it touches and can torment all individuals using digital technology. The difference between cyberbullying and bullying on the schoolyard is that cyberbullying for the victim it’s out there for all to see and read. The bully on the schoolyard can be ignored, pushed back be separated and move on without the all-world knowing. Not true for cyberbullying, the victim feels like the hurtful words are out there; for all to see and believe as truth. Each time they log on to their digital device, the anxiety, fear and possible horror of what’s in an email, social media post and/or website.
It’s a constant reminder of the hurtful words, photos and/or videos used to cyberbully.
Cyberbullying is not limited to social media postings, but emails, websites, IM, texting, chats, videos, photos and the release of info onto the internet. Also, “catfishing” in which individuals make up a fake profile to bully others or catch others using false information. A partner making-up fake account to catch their other-half in cheating. I have heard this being down by couples in serious relationship to married couples.
A troll is an ugly, mean dirty character living under a bridge to snatch-up people for a quick meal. A person who trolls social media is looking for an opening to make rude, harsh and hurtfully comments to those who post in group sites. An example is a group of cruisers, the administrator had to remove a person because they were constantly making rude and sarcastic comments on posts from newbies. It was very uncalled for. Trolls and trolling sites are becoming an epidemic on social media sites. There are several reasons why a person trolls the internet, we just need to be aware, ignore and delete them from our future feeds. Don’t feed the troll.
The difference between bullying and cyberbullying is the cyber-type is out there for the world to see and is forever in the universe.
There are no federal laws to protect victims in cyberbullying, but all states now have laws while some have both laws and policies against cyberbullying. The state of Texas has an Anti-bullying law and regulations. The law separates bullying and harassment but covers cyberbullying. While in the neighboring state of Oklahoma has both a state law and state model policy that can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Education website . Oklahoma uses the terminology of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. It also includes cyberbullying.
Even though we have laws against cyberbullying until we change hearts and minds the problem will continue.
How we've become addictive to our devices, no one talks or interacts with real people, more and more communication through the virtual world. Even families setting together at the table texting each other. We are losing the human touch, make us more isolated in our real world.
The statics of cyberbullying, that only 1 out of 10 kids will tell a trusted adult or parent about being bullied. We should encourage and assure kids to tell someone if they see or read something that is hurtful either to them or someone else. The tabloid of being a tale-tell needs to end and changed to be a good friend and digital citizen. The other distributing stat is the rate of suicide caused by cyberbullying, which could be even higher today than when this study was conducted.
As an educator, I feel it is my civic duty to educate my learners, friends, and family about digital citizenship and cyberbullying.
There are several tools available to educate our learners, I will age-appropriate materials for my audience. For my eighteen and up learners, I will use Monica Lewinsky’s TEDTalks, The Price of Shame, Shane Koycsan, To This Day Project, both of Taylor Swifts songs about bullying, Mean, Shake It Off along with picking other examples from the 55 Songs about Haters, Bullies, and other mean jealous people.
The learners not only need the tools to be aware of all types of bullying but how to overcome the physical, mental and emotional hurt caused by bullying. 12 ways successfully people handle toxic people slide show by Travis Bradberry will be a helpful visual aid in how to deal with toxic behavior.
I will also use role-playing, to demonstrate the hurt that can be caused by mean words and actions in the online virtual world as in the real world. While having the class determine a punishment equal to the crime.
Remember, that two-year-old who bites, kicks and takes away toys for no reason is not only developing bad behavior but bullying skills.
As educators, we must keep up with daily changes in trends, such as the use of friendly emojis for sexting, social media, and online dating apps. This friendly emojis can be used in cyberbullying and overlooked by any parent and teacher who’s not up-to-date on urban digital slang.
We need to show understanding, have empathy and compassion for our friends real and virtual.
References & Helpful Sites
Bradberry, T., (2015), 12 ways successful people handle toxic people. Retrieved from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/299696#0
Green, P., (2015). 7 ways to prevent cyberbullying. Retrieved from https://www.teachthought.com/technology/7-ways-to-prevent-cyberbullying/
Hinduja, S., and Patchin, J.W., (2015), Developing a positive school climate. Top ten tips to prevent bullying and cyberbullying. Retrieved from www.cyberbullying.us
Hinduja, S., and Patchin, J.W. (2015). Cyberbullying Legislation and Case Law. Implications for school policy and practice. Retrieved from www.cyberbullying.us
Hinduja, S., and Patchin, J.W. (2015). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Corwin, A SAGA Company.
Koyczan, Shane, To This Day Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa1iS1MqUy4
Lewinsky, Monica, Ted Talk - The Price of Shame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_8y0WLm78U
Morean, L, (2017). Internet Trolling, How do we spot the real a troll? Retrieved from: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-internet-trolling-3485891
Swift, Taylor, Mean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYa1eI1hpDE