Cyber BullyingChallenges for Educators, Legal issues, and Advice for Students and Parents

What is it?

Cyber bullying is simply the use of any type of technology maliciously and intentionally to hurt someone else. Examples Harassing a person through text messages Sending threatening or inappropriate emails Posting hurtful messages on an individuals

Facebook or twitter Making fun of someone in chat rooms Making and posting YouTube videos intended to

hurt or harass someone

What is it? Cont.

Cyber bullying is typically aimed at younger adolescents and can lead to serious issues such as police involvement, school involvement, and teen suicide

Legal Issues/Court Cases

United States Vs. Lori Drew This case was seen frequently in the media due to its nature.

Megan Meier committed suicide after being harassed on MySpace. Her parents later found out it was not a boy who Megan liked but the parent of one of Megan’s former friends.

Lori Drew was aquatinted due to the lack of legislation directly related to cyber bullying.

Due to the outpouring of outrage over the acquittal Missouri updated their harassment law to include bullying via the internet. The Bill was approved in May of 2008.

There are several civil suits around the country related to cyber bullying with individual states beginning to aid legislation related to cyber bullying.

However the supreme court has yet to decide when freedom of speech can be infringed upon when not in a school or protected setting.

Some Stats

Challenges for Teachers

While it can be hard to detect when cyber bullying is happening teachers can be liable and potentially sued if they have any indication cyber bullying is occurring and the do nothing (Hazeldon Foundation, 2008).

For students who are considered in a protected class, such as, students with disabilities, lawsuits can be brought against teachers and schools for injuries caused by cyber bullying. These students are covered under several federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act, The Education Amendments Act, and the American’s with Disabilities Act.

Challenges for Educators

Educators must also be well versed in federal law not only to protect themselves from legal suits but also to protect their students from cyber bullying. Freedom of speech can be infringed on when the harassment takes place on school grounds under these circumstances: The cyber speech includes a threat It is lewd, vulgar, or profane The speech is, or appears to be sponsored by the

school The speech disrupts the school or the rights of

others

Challenges for Educators

Teachers and schools may have little control over cyber bullying that does not occur on school grounds leaving students unprotected and calling for parents to begin monitoring internet interactions at home.

This video gives parents tips and tools along with signs that bullying is happening to their child. http://youtu.be/B-wLFdd_jr4

Tips for Parents

Keep the lines of communication open between your child

Set up online alerts under the child’s name. Doing this allows parents to see whenever a comment is posted about their child in the web.

File a complaint with the website to have harassing comments taken down

File a report with police if the bullying cannot be settled through other means such as talking with the parents of the bullying student.

Reaching Students

Cyber bullying needs to be stopped at the source. Educating students on what cyber bullying is and some tips on how to address a bully may be helpful. Tips include: Don’t get angry. This is what the bully wants to know they got

to you. Cyber bullying back is not the answer. Be Courageous, tell a teacher, a parent, or someone you trust

instead of keeping it to yourself. Make friends and use the buddy system Work with your school and student council to educate other

students on cyber bullying.

Taken from www.loveourchildrenusa.org School work shops along with in class lessons about cyber

bullying need to be included in curriculum to aid in prevention.

Reaching Students

Another means for educating students is a source they are all familiar with YouTube. Showing videos with real life stories about students being bullied can send a powerful message. Here is a great example:

http://youtu.be/HTJwFv2dnWQ

My Story

What I learned

Legally teachers can be held accountable and potentially sued for not intervening if they know cyber bullying is taking place.

Cyber bullying can be a silent killer. Many adolescents do their best to keep their pain private as they already feel exposed from the bullying.

Educating students, parents, and schools about cyber bullying is essential in preventing it from happening.

Using the internet can be a powerful tool for teaching students along with empowering students to take control over how they use the internet.

References:

Internet Terms. (2009). Cyber Bullying. Retrieved From http://www.techterms.com/definition/cyberbullying

Hazeldon Foundation. (2008). Litigation on Cyber Bullying: Legal Issues for School Personal. Retrieved From http://cwa.cvusd.us/modules/locker/files/get_group_file.phtml?gid=2120812&fid=11685361&sessionid=06f2e07e701a76284b5336d91e619d14

Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.(2012). United States Vs. Lori Drew. Retrieved From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Lori_Drew

YouTube. (2011). Cyber Bullying Prevention Tips (Novus Security). Retrieved From: http://youtu.be/B-wLFdd_jr4

YouTube. (2009). Teen Bullying Suicide/ Amanda Cota Story, Words from a Mom’s Heart. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/HTJwFv2dnWQ

www.Loveourchildrenusa.org (1999-2012). Don’t be Cyber Bullied. Retrieved from http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/kidsteens_cyberbullying.php