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Articles Archive - 2008 Addressing the New Face of Bullying: Teaching Young People to Think Critically and Act Ethically Online
Technology such as the Internet and cell phones has given young people a new - and powerful - platform from which to target peers. There is little doubt that cyberbullying, which can be the equivalent of "social death" for many young people, is traumatic. It differs from traditional, face-to-face bullying in that it is relentless and public and at the same time anonymous. Cyberbullying has turned the usual image of "the bully" on its head; it's no longer only the "tough kids" who may act aggressively - it can just as easily be the shy, quiet types, hidden behind their computers. Added to this is the potential presence of countless, invisible witnesses and/or collaborators to the cyberbullying, which creates a situation where victims are left unsure who knows, and who to fear. 1 Technology also extends the reach these young people have, enabling them to harass their targets anywhere and at anytime. While these situations should be reported, it can be difficult for young people to step forward: how do you report an attack that leaves no physical scars and is committed by a nameless attacker? Will the consequences of telling an adult you are being cyberbullied be worse than the bullying itself? Adults want to help, but many feel ill-equipped to handle bullying in a digital world. Addressing Cyberbullying in the Home Talking to an adult, even a parent, is not always easy. For many young people, the only thing worse than being bullied is being banned from the communications technologies they love. One of the main reasons cited by youth for not telling parents when they are being cyberbullied is the fear they will be forbidden from using the Internet or their cell phones. Although from an adult's perspective this may appear a sensible and logical response, "pulling the plug" may doubly victimize the young person being bullied by intensifying feelings of isolation and social exclusion. A more proactive approach to encourage young people to step forward when they have had a negative online experience is for parents to establish an ongoing and respectful dialog with them about the Internet and their online activities right from the start. This can be as simple as placing the computer in a busy, common area in your home, such as a family room or kitchen, to encourage day-to-day conversations by bringing online activities out into the open. Most families have only two or three standard rules on Internet use in the home: not meeting "online friends" in person; not surfing inappropriate sites; and rules that establish how much computer time is allowed.2 While rules such as these can make a difference, 3 they are not enough. Parents also need to familiarize themselves with the online activities and virtual spaces their children use and visit. This may include playing their favourite video games with them; opening an MSN account to chat with them online; or creating a family Facebook account. It is especially important for parents of young adolescents to pay attention to their social networks, for it is here that youth are most likely to encounter or instigate cyberbullying. 4 Parents also need good information about the online issues young people may encounter and advice on how best to handle situations such as cyberbullying, privacy invasions, or exposure to inappropriate content, when they occur. The Be Web Aware Web site, at http://www.bewebaware.ca/english/default.html, includes information and tools to help parents teach their children to handle the potential risks associated with going online. Addressing Cyberbullying in the School Although cyberbullying often takes place outside school property, the relationship leading up to the bullying often begins at school. In addition, cyberbullying has tangible consequences to the school environment, instilling a climate of insecurity and fear which can inhibit learning. As is often the case, prevention is the best approach. Cyberbullying expert Shaheen Shariff, of McGill University's faculty of education, states that reactive umbrella policies, such as expulsion or suspensions, don't stop the problem.5 This is because punitive actions don't get at the root causes of the bullying behaviour. For example, a 2005 Alberta study found one-third of students who engaged in cyberbullying had also been victims of online bullying themselves.6 As with parents, teachers need to involve young people in talking about and finding solutions to peer relationship problems. Class discussions about what is and isn't acceptable online behaviour; how citizenship, community and ethics in our every day lives apply online; the importance of empathy; and the ways that technology can affect how we communicate with others, are important concepts to introduce. In addition to helping students think critically about concepts such as these, teachers also need to re-evaluate their own attitudes and behaviours. The ethical foundations that teachers build in their classrooms constitute an informal, but powerful vehicle for developing moral and social values amongst their students. To help educators better understand issues relating to cyberbullying and to facilitate the introduction of these concepts into their classrooms, Media Awareness Network (MNet) has developed a series of lessons that are available on the MNet Web site: http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/lessons/cyberbullying.cfm. Based on the latest cyberbullying research, and linked to Canadian provincial curricular outcomes, these lessons start with students' online activities and provide them with an opportunity to turn a critical eye to their virtual communications. When Bullying Happens In addition to fostering dialogue at home and in school, parents and teachers can mitigate the negative effects of bullying by teaching young people what to do if they are confronted with, or are witnesses to, cyberbullying. The role of witnesses is particularly important. Because bullying is all about power, witnesses have significant clout in perpetuating or stopping the bullying behaviour. Young people need to understand that when cyberbullying occurs, silence can represent social consensus. Failing to react to cyberbullying ensures its continued existence. For young people who are being harassed online, help them take control of the situation by teaching them the "Stop, Block, Talk and Save" action plan.
Practice What You Preach Adults have a significant role to play in helping young people address online bullying and harassment. Young people live in a popular culture that approves of and even promotes cynicism, practical jokes and even violence. It can sometimes be difficult for children and youth to know where to draw the line between humour and harassment. The modeling adults provide in language and tone used when communicating - whether it is online or face-to-face-can help young people determine their own boundaries of acceptable communication.
**************************************************** Media Awareness Network is a Canadian not-for-profit centre of expertise
in media education. Its vision is to ensure children and youth possess
the necessary critical thinking skills and tools to understand and actively
engage with media. (www.media-awareness.ca)
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