Cyber Bullying Guide

At this point in time there is clear generational distinction between the Digital Natives – our teenage population who have grown up with new media and Digital Immigrants – the older generation of parents and teachers that has grown up without new media. Our young people are more in tune with, more accustomed to and indeed probably more dependent on technology.

ChildWise research (Irish children aged 5-16 years) found that children spend approx. 1hr 20min a day online.
1/3 of children access the Internet from their bedroom.

While new developments have undoubtedly brought benefits to business, education and life in general, they have also brought extra pressures when mew media particularly social networking sites are abused.

The top 2 sites accessed by Irish children aged 5-16 years are Facebook and YouTube

Specific online and social networking risks include:

Online bullying or ‘cyberbullying’ as it has come to be known.
“Cyberbullying is any behaviour performed through electronic or digital media by individuals or groups that repeatedly communicates hostile or aggressive messages intended to inflict harm or discomfort on others ” (Tokunaga, 2010)

It differs from traditional bullying and is potentially more damaging because

• There is a larger audience.
• No time/location barriers. Bullying can now take place 24/7
• Because it is on line it reduces empathy as victims reaction often not seen

Posting information that

(a) could be used to embarrass or manipulate them;

(b) could cause psychological harm;

(c) could be used by criminals to steal their identity or property or – though very rare – determine their physical location to cause physical harm.

Dangers associated with online activity include:

Damage to reputation or future prospects because of young people’s own behaviour or that of their peers – unkind or angry posts, compromising photos or videos, or group conflict depicted in text and imagery.
Spending too much time online, losing a sense of balance in life.
Exposure to inappropriate content – although, typically, worse content can be found out on the Web at large.
Potential for inappropriate contact with adults (parents need to ensure that social networking does not lead to offline contact unapproved by them and other caring adults in their children’s lives).
General Advice

• Make sure your Facebook account is private –either “friends only” or customise your settings.
• Make a good strong Password and keep it private
• Your password should contain CAPITAL and lowercase letters (A b C), symbols (* & %) and numbers (3567)
• Use different passwords for each account – otherwise you risk someone getting at all your accounts if your password is compromised.
• Only accept people as “friends” if you know them in real life
• Do not post personal information like address, phone number etc.
• Do not post pictures that give away personal information
• Remember –Once you post something online it is out of your control. It can be copied, pasted, or forwarded by other people.

• What to do . . .

  What to do if a Student is Cyber-bullied? Immediate Actions

  • Remind them it is not their fault -It’s the person doing the bullying that’s got the problem
  • Don’t Reply to the sender
  • Keep the Message
  • Block the Sender/Remove as Friend
  • Report Problems to website/mobile phone operator
  • Report Serious Issues to the Gardaí

  Illegal issues include someone making inappropriate sexual suggestions, racist remarks,        or persistent bullying that is seriously damaging to the victim’s well-being.

  • Let us know in school what is happening so that we can help.

  Bullying of students is handled in the school under the behaviour code section 3.3.d and 6.3.c. which states:

  ‘Anti-social acts against any member of the school community such as bullying, intimidation, extortion, rough conduct, harassment, teasing and exclusion will not be tolerated.  Breach of this rule will be handled in accordance with the Anti-Bullying Policy in the school.  Any act of assault or violence against any member of the school community will be considered a grave offence’. (3.3.d)

  In reference to behaviours in 3.3.d  incidents will be investigated by the Year Head and/or Deputy Principal and the seriousness of the and nature of the incident determined.  Procedures outlined in the School Bullying Policy will be followed in handling such situations and the determination and imposition of sanctions will be a matter for the Discipline Committees.  (6.3.c)

  The school policy on bullying cover the following based on the The Guidelines on Countering Bullying Behaviour in Primary and Post Primary Schools (pdf) published by the Department of Education and Skills

  • The creation of a school ethos that encourages students to tell about bullying.
  • Raising of awareness of bullying as unacceptable behaviour with management, students, teachers and parents
  • Monitoring and supervision of school activities
  • Developing procedures for reporting, investigating and dealing with bullying
  • Developing a programme of support for those affected by bullying and those involved in bullying
  • Working with local agencies to combat all forms of bullying in school and the local community.

We developed this page in the school to assist parents and students to better manage activity on social networking site. In developing the page we are indebted to materials developed by Maureen Griffin.