What can be done about cyber-bullies?

[seastarmath]

I am getting to really hate networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

My kids--who can't seem to pass a basic multiplication facts test--are perfectly capable of computing the year of birth they need to put down to be able to get a page on these sites. They then proceed to post some outlandish things which spill over into the school environment. We cannot do much about the sites themselves as they have nothing to do with school. All we can deal with are situations that occur--mainly fights--because of something that was said, or not said, on somebody's page.

Has anyone found a way to convince parents to police their kids and how they use the Internet? Do you have a significant number of interruptions in your school day due to fallout from use of these sites? Do kids know HOW to relate face to face anymore?

[Boxcar]

My studnets are too young for these sites - mostly because they can't read or write yet.

So, take what I say for what it is worth.

I try to lay the foundations for my studnets to make good choices. Having the self-esteem to bounce back and the confidence to resist temptation are things we begin to work on in my room.

It sin't easy, and I can't teach everything they will need to be successful through the coming years. I think that schools need to realize that things like problem solving and conflicct resolution are just as important as other concepts.

I see this behaviour as the teenage version of dramatic play. The problem is how it escalates and becomes very serious. I dn't think that adults can pervent it. Maybe teaching the students the skills to get themselves out of trouble and to stay out of trouble is one possible route.

[seastarmath]

Reflecting on your "dramatic play" comment tells me you make a very good point. These are the kids who are addicted to drama, as are their parents. If there isn't any going on, they create it. They actually DO seem like they are having fun.

[Spectre]

Silvana, I don't think anyone is looking to crush anyone else here and I don't know what conditions are like in your country, but here, American children have been pampered and spoiled for awhile now. Their work ethic is rapidly dissapating and one of the big reasons is that they have gotten the message (or believe they have) that things will be given to them, that they won't have to work for anything.

Is it fair or right for us to allow them to go on in that frame of mind? What kinds of teachers and mentors would we be if we did?

I regret that we make you sad, but the state of affairs in my country makes me sad at times and wishing won't make it better.:confused2:

[Helix]

Well, you can report cyber bullying just as much as regular bullying. I hope you do, if/when you get facts from kids. Children have been known to commit suicide over stuff online. It's disgusting the way a lot of kids behave these days. I love to indulge the kids that avoid drama...they deserve it so much more than the attention seekers!

[AWOL]

There's not much you can do. Also, don't police your kids unless there's a reason. It can crush their self-esteem faster then bullying believe me, it can also block them off from resources that they might love, but you deem inappropriate. Be very careful what you cut them off from, they might cut themselves off from you.

[Brit]

have there been any class or school meetings about these problems? has anyone told the kids straight up that is words are meant to hurt, then it's unacceptable and that it's bullying? I am SURE that some of the perpitrators will think twice if they realize that they will be labelled a bully.

i've seen some interesting motivational-speaker type presentations on the topic. I think the first thing to do is make the kids aware that you are aware, and make them aware of how serious the problem is.

We only have control of our own realm (the classroom) and even there, we sometimes hang onto that control by a thread. Maybe I'm naive, but I think that by addressing the problem, bringing it out in the open, you can pave the way for kids to think abnout the damage they can be causing and open the door for bullied kids to feel that they can come get the counselling they may need.

In our area, our police department has a public service presentation about this, I believe. I know it's been presented to staff in my board. If you can get the cops involved in making kids aware of the seriousness of their actions online, I say it's a bonus. Anyone in a uniform carries a lot of authority (and a little bit of "scare the crap outta the offenders" too...which ain't a bad thing). I guess the involvement of our regional police shows how seriously we should take the problems, too. Kids do die because of what's going on online, sometimes from suicide, sometimes from taking things into RL and beating the crap out of each other. Take it seriously, eh.

[seastarmath]

Brit, that is a great idea. I think I will talk the admin about getting someone in to talk about the legal mess the kids can get into over misuse of the Internet. We can't deal with the root of the problem at school, because it isn't taking place at school--just the fallout. The kids know that. Parents have no authority for a lot of them, so we will have someone who DOES come in and tell them what's what. Thank you!

We have two really good guidance counselors who have talked to the kids about the issue, but the kids don't seem to get it. I see them interacting with each other more and more as a response to something related when they did not have to communicate face to face. Texting, cell phones, emails, chat room, etc are great, but not at the expense of real life encounters. It definitely is a fast changing, technical world, but people skills are still basic. We can teach the kids people skills at school, but we can't make them use them when they leave the campus. Guess I have to realize my limitations, do what I can, and let the rest go.

[Ima Teacher]

Both Facebook and MySpace have publications available to schools that detail how to report underage posters or bullying activities. We don't have trouble with Facebook, but MySpace is popular with our students. We have reported several issues, and they have been taken care of my MySpace.

Now, our state has anti-bullying laws, and cyber bullying is part of that legislation. Of course, we don't go looking for things, but when they end up making it into the school day and causing issues, they to to administration or the school resource officer.

This year's group doesn't seem to be all that interested in the online drama, but the group last year nearly drove us insane.