The detachment that results from not seeing the target's reaction to a message (...is perhaps one of the) hallmarks of cyberbullying.
(Faucher, et.al., 2015, p.112)A 2011 study of school and workplace bullying, conducted by a team in Canada, identified that Cyberbullying has a number of nuances that make it especially harmful to the victim. As stated above, the perpetrator or Bully, is shielded from the ramifications of their actions, they don't see the reaction to their message, or harmful photograph or comment, they simply get the satisfaction of having wielded power over another.
So if no one sees the impact (depression, self-harm, plummeting grades, isolation, aggression) of Cyberbullying, then we, as educators, must find a way to make it real to everyone: the current and potential bullies and the current and potential victims.
One school in Illinois did just that: they developed a mentoring program where middle school students were paired with trained, high school students in a mentoring relationship. The middle school students could then use the high school student for advice and guidance. The high school student not only gave advice but also modeled appropriate online interactions and standing up to inappropriate comments online. An example exchange is below:
(Orech, 2012, p.17)
Mary Ford Elementary (as well as many other Charleston County schools) uses a curriculum called Second Step which according to its website "is a program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to help children thrive." (SecondStep, para. 1). While this curriculum addresses all aspects of social-emotional learning, there is a particular focus on Cyberbullying. Sitting in on one of the guidance classes at Mary Ford, I listened as the teacher walked through how to report bullying or cyberbullying and emphasized that telling a trusted adult is not "snitching" but "reporting". A fact that seemed to stick with many of the 4th graders in the room.
As the librarian at Mary Ford, I'm thankful to have such a well thought-out curriculum and use the language of Second Step to reiterate expectations when my students are using technology in the library.
References:
Orech, J. (2012). HOW IT’S DONE: Incorporating Digital Citizenship Into Your Everyday Curriculum. Tech & Learning, 33(1), 16–18. Retrieved from https://login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eft&AN=82590138&site=ehost-live
http://www. SecondStep.org
My school also use the second steps. I am glad to know that it has a cyber bullying component. It is good to be all on the same page. I will look into it to help reinforce the lessons with my students.
ReplyDeleteI also brought up the quote about detachment in my blog post. I found it so intriguing that I did some extra research. I found an article by Peebles that states this detachment makes many cyberbullies feel less remorse for their actions. I found this interesting and wanted to share since you brought this up as well.
ReplyDeleteI think your notion of making it real to all is important. I believe that one of the reasons cyberbullying is conducted so often is because the person who is doing the bullying isn't seeing the damage it is causing and therefore can ignore the implications of their actions with more ease. I believe that education of bullying can not be a one time lesson, but little mini constant reminders.
ReplyDeleteKatherine- I am curious if my school uses Second Step curriculum. Sounds like a beneficial program. Thanks for sharing. I will touch base with my guidance counselor to see if we use it.
ReplyDeleteMy school also uses second step in the classrooms. I really wish it had lessons for special area teachers. I would love to have that connection with my students and learn to use the language that is being used in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, JBE uses the Second Step curriculum as well. I have not been there long enough to observe any of the curriculum's impact on student behavior, but I appreciate having a school-wide language for social instruction. I can see from your post how Second Step can be extended to virtual interactions. I wonder if it would be worthwhile to ask the computer teacher to align Second Step to her Digital Citizenship instruction. You are giving me great ideas!
ReplyDeleteGreat post on cyberbullying, Katherine. I especially liked the way you used highlighting and the design of the post to highlight some of the most shocking aspects of cyberbullying (or maybe the fact that you highlighted them made them all the more shocking?). Great resources!
ReplyDeleteKatherine,
ReplyDeleteI love the title it there is no one around to see bullying is it still bullying? That is just like closing a blind eye to what we really don't want to know about or tell about. At A. C. Corcoran we also teach 2nd Step lessons as our health lesson to help our students with their emotional development. Great post