When it comes to cyberbullying should schools get involved?

[ShyGuyInChicago]

When it comes to cyberbullying should schools get involved?
Lots of bullying happens in schools and then continues outside of school through electronic means. When this happens should schools get involved? In some states cyberbullying is explicitly and implicitly forbidden. Is it the responsibility of parents of the bullies and bullied to solve the issue? What do you think? Plus, I have heard of some schools forbidding cyberbullying by the hands of students involved in extracurricular activities. Is that reasonable?

[CairAndros]

If bullying is existing in the RW and the school is made aware of it and is taking steps to resolve it and it is then taken to the cyber level and the school is presented with hard evidence of this then they should act as it is merely an extension of the bullying they are trying to stop in the first place.

[Perseus]

How is this a debate? Of course they should.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

How is this a debate? Of course they should.

It can be argued that because it happens out of school, the schools wither should not get involved or are unable to get involved. In other words one can argue that it does not affect the schools and it is not their concern. I feel that the schools should gt involved if the cyberbullying is in anyway related to school bullying.

[Amnesiac]

Cyberbulling is an out-of-school issue, therefore, the schools don't have the authority to intervene.

[Perseus]

Cyberbulling is an out-of-school issue, therefore, the schools don't have the authority to intervene.

Hurr. :rolleyes:

[Jess]

if it's a student(s) cyber-bullying another student, then yes.

[Fact]

I think that if it affects the student's school life, they have the right to get involved.
However, I never hear about schools getting involved over other matters that affect their students in school e.g. eating disorders, smoking, domestic abuse etc.
Maybe I'm wrong about that ↑ but that's my impression anyway

[Amnesiac]

Hurr. :rolleyes:

I don't want schools gaining power where they shouldn't be, durr.

If someone's really bothering you, get a restraining order or something. Unless the kids are doing it on school networks, it's not a school issue.

[Perseus]

I don't want schools gaining power where they shouldn't be, durr.

If someone's really bothering you, get a restraining order or something. Unless the kids are doing it on school networks, it's not a school issue.

Oh, I thought you were being a sarcastic jackass. My b.

[Amnesiac]

Oh, I thought you were being a sarcastic jackass. My b.

:rolleyes:

I see.

[Whisper]

If a child is being attacked in any fashion they should be able to go to a teacher, principle, school counsellor, etc... and get any help they need
regardless of where its taking place.
period

[Amnesiac]

If a child is being attacked in any fashion they should be able to go to a teacher, principle, school counsellor, etc... and get any help they need
regardless of where its taking place.
period

I agree they should have access to advice and counseling, but the school should refer the incident to the police (some departments have cyberbullying task forces), since it's an external issue.

I'm afraid giving this kind of power to schools — to punish students for off-campus, out-of-school incidents — could lead to other, bigger powers that shouldn't be in their hands.

[The Joker]

Cyberbulling is an out-of-school issue, therefore, the schools don't have the authority to intervene.

But who would deal with it? I think reporting it to the police might be a bit extreme.

[Perseus]

But who would deal with it? I think reporting it to the police might be a bit extreme.

Why? Cyberbulling kills just like regular bullying.

[CairAndros]

I have actually been involved in tackling a cyber bullying case at the school. We had the hard evidence of it happening; msn chat logs. With this evidence in hand we confronted the bullies and they stepped down from the bullying and everything has been fine since.

So it does work.

[Jess]

Why? Cyberbulling kills just like regular bullying.


yes exactly.

[Azunite]

They intervene here, that is the right way

[Amnesiac]

But who would deal with it? I think reporting it to the police might be a bit extreme.

No, it isn't. Bullying is assault. Technically, it's a crime. Therefore, it should be treated as such.

[Sith Lord 13]

No, it isn't. Bullying is assault. Technically, it's a crime. Therefore, it should be treated as such.

Only if it's physical. Psychological and emotional bullying, the two forms which cyber-bullying is comprised of, are not assault.

[Amnesiac]

Only if it's physical. Psychological and emotional bullying, the two forms which cyber-bullying is comprised of, are not assault.

Yeah, I was talking about in the physical sense, you know, classic "schoolyard bullying" that you see in movies.

I don't know what psychological bullying would be considered.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Only if it's physical. Psychological and emotional bullying, the two forms which cyber-bullying is comprised of, are not assault.

Non-physical bullying can be considered harassment. Online, for example it can be considered harassment especially if it is repeated and people do it after being told to stop.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Yeah, I was talking about in the physical sense, you know, classic "schoolyard bullying" that you see in movies.

I don't know what psychological bullying would be considered.

Name calling, and excluding people could be psychological bullying.

[Mr. Awesome]

If 2 students fight after school its a school matter. Therfore if its online, text, phone call, IM, it should fall under the same rules,

If 1 student bullies the other it should be a school matter, whether is on tuesday or sunday, if its reported to the school it should be dealt by the school with the 2 students and their parents

[Amnesiac]

Non-physical bullying can be considered harassment. Online, for example it can be considered harassment especially if it is repeated and people do it after being told to stop.

Yeah, harassment, that's the word I was looking for. Bullying it harassment and, at times, assault. It's a crime. Treat it like one.

If 2 students fight after school its a school matter. Therfore if its online, text, phone call, IM, it should fall under the same rules,

If 1 student bullies the other it should be a school matter, whether is on tuesday or sunday, if its reported to the school it should be dealt by the school with the 2 students and their parents

The legal ramifications of what you're proposing are nightmarish. Schools should never have that kind of power over students. When teens aren't on campus, they're in the real world, and there are tougher consequences for their bullying: tickets with fines, and possibly jail time. Assault and harassment are serious crimes, if we want to help stop this "wave of bullying" we've got to hit it harder than a school would.

[Continuum]

The legal ramifications of what you're proposing are nightmarish. Schools should never have that kind of power over students. When teens aren't on campus, they're in the real world, and there are tougher consequences for their bullying: tickets with fines, and possibly jail time. Assault and harassment are serious crimes, if we want to help stop this "wave of bullying" we've got to hit it harder than a school would.

I agree. When it's outside of school, the governing law takes over, it distinguishes cheap after-school shots from real crime. You do it outside, then you possibly set yourself up for a higher punishment, not just detention or suspension, most probably it'll involve jail or a detention center for delinquency, knowing that they are minors.

And Harassment does not necessarily require physical intervention, lest they are less grave than actual assault.

[CairAndros]

However, intervention from the school can perhaps stop it in its tracks and help the bully see the error of their ways. Bullies often have insecurities or problems of their own that they project onto the people they are bullying and as a result could often use help to solve these problems.

Now, I don't condone bullying - infact I detest it - but I am a strong believer in trying to help someone who is in that predicament; both the person being bullied and the bully. And if the school can step in and stop it and help the bully and they turn their life around etc - which has happened once or twice at my school - would you not say that is better than them having a criminal record which would hamper them in later life in terms of getting a job etc?

[Amnesiac]

However, intervention from the school can perhaps stop it in its tracks and help the bully see the error of their ways. Bullies often have insecurities or problems of their own that they project onto the people they are bullying and as a result could often use help to solve these problems.

Now, I don't condone bullying - infact I detest it - but I am a strong believer in trying to help someone who is in that predicament; both the person being bullied and the bully. And if the school can step in and stop it and help the bully and they turn their life around etc - which has happened once or twice at my school - would you not say that is better than them having a criminal record which would hamper them in later life in terms of getting a job etc?

That's why I said I'm fine with schools acting as a mediator for these problems. I just DON'T want schools punishing students for bullying off-campus. That could lead to "you can't look at these websites at home" or "you can't listen to this music at home". You think it'll never happen? Don't underestimate the greediness of public schools.

[Mr. Awesome]

The legal ramifications of what you're proposing are nightmarish. Schools should never have that kind of power over students. When teens aren't on campus, they're in the real world, and there are tougher consequences for their bullying: tickets with fines, and possibly jail time. Assault and harassment are serious crimes, if we want to help stop this "wave of bullying" we've got to hit it harder than a school would.

I do believe that if it is very serious the school should pass the information on to the police. But in my opinion the school should be the first port of call. They should be given the information that its happening outside school (not how its happening but that its happening), then depending on the situation the school should decide whether to deal with the situation or pass it on to the authority's

[Amnesiac]

I do believe that if it is very serious the school should pass the information on to the police. But in my opinion the school should be the first port of call. They should be given the information that its happening outside school (not how its happening but that its happening), then depending on the situation the school should decide whether to deal with the situation or pass it on to the authority's

I disagree. Schools should offer counseling and peer mediation, but nothing else. If the situation escalates, it must be reported to a local police department. Schools have no legal authority to give students detentions for incidents that take place off school property; giving them such power threatens the privacy and rights of those under 18.

[CairAndros]

That's why I said I'm fine with schools acting as a mediator for these problems. I just DON'T want schools punishing students for bullying off-campus. That could lead to "you can't look at these websites at home" or "you can't listen to this music at home". You think it'll never happen? Don't underestimate the greediness of public schools.

I think where our opinions differ is due to the education systems we are both in :P Scottish schools aren't 'greedy' as you put it. We don't have need nor means to act as you are claiming your local schools do. If they really are like that then I feel sorry for you because thats not how a school should be. So, a reasonable conclusion might be that different systems would work better in Scotland and in Texas :)

[Amnesiac]

I think where our opinions differ is due to the education systems we are both in :P Scottish schools aren't 'greedy' as you put it. We don't have need nor means to act as you are claiming your local schools do. If they really are like that then I feel sorry for you because thats not how a school should be. So, a reasonable conclusion might be that different systems would work better in Scotland and in Texas :)

Well, I don't know about the schools in Scotland, but in the U.S. I would bet a hefty sum that they wouldn't waste a second to intervene in the personal lives of students if it weren't unconstitutional.

[Mr. Awesome]

I disagree. Schools should offer counseling and peer mediation, but nothing else. If the situation escalates, it must be reported to a local police department. Schools have no legal authority to give students detentions for incidents that take place off school property; giving them such power threatens the privacy and rights of those under 18.

The way i see it, If it happens inside or outside school, the school should be made aware of the situation because the students are enrolled at the school and is usually where bullying starts.

Now as to how its handled: In my view

Step 1:Teachers/Principle/dean/Year Head speek to students to try and solve the issues.

Step 2: Parents are notified of the situation.

Step 3: Teachers/Principle/dean/Year Head have meeting with parents.

Step 4: Teachers/Principle/dean/Year Head have meeting with both students and teachers.

Step 5: If issue cannot be resolved, contact the local authority's

School classes on bullying, prevention, signs, actions on how to deal with bullies/report bullies (these should be in place in every school 3-5 times a year)

I would love to see a box in every school where people can anonymously put in peices of paper with complaints, suggestions or problems.

[Amnesiac]

The way i see it, If it happens inside or outside school, the school should be made aware of the situation because the students are enrolled at the school and is usually where bullying starts.

Now as to how its handled: In my view

Step 1:Teachers/Principle/dean/Year Head speek to students to try and solve the issues.

Step 2: Parents are notified of the situation.

Step 3: Teachers/Principle/dean/Year Head have meeting with parents.

Step 4: Teachers/Principle/dean/Year Head have meeting with both students and teachers.

Step 5: If issue cannot be resolved, contact the local authority's

School classes on bullying, prevention, signs, actions on how to deal with bullies/report bullies (these should be in place in every school 3-5 times a year)

I would love to see a box in every school where people can anonymously put in peices of paper with complaints, suggestions or problems.

I agree with your 5-step plan. However, I don't think anti-bullying propaganda is really that effective.

[Fact]

I would love to see a box in every school where people can anonymously put in peices of paper with complaints, suggestions or problems.

My school has one of these... But I don't think people actually use it/take it seriously.
As for your steps, I agree with them for non high risk cases - it worked in my school to stop my friend being bothered by someone.
However, with more aggressive/violent cases, I'm not so sure. In theory it should work, in practice? Njehh..?

[Mr. Awesome]

I agree with your 5-step plan. However, I don't think anti-bullying propaganda is really that effective.

Yes but its better than nothing, if it stops 1 person from being bullied/bullying that may just save a life. There is a serious lack of education about bullying, it has to start somewhere and thats creating awareness

My school has one of these... But I don't think people actually use it/take it seriously.
As for your steps, I agree with them for non high risk cases - it worked in my school to stop my friend being bothered by someone.
However, with more aggressive/violent cases, I'm not so sure. In theory it should work, in practice? Njehh..?

If 1 person uses it, its a success, it may be a person saved, it may be nothing, but its an option for reporting bullying.

I totally agree that the 5 steps depends case to case but its just an outline on how things should be done, Teachers should/are? obligated to report bulling to a students parents. Both sides of the story should/must be heard, and if it is serious it should be reported to a higher authority

[TheFountainGoddess]

My school, is extremely strict on bullying of any types, they have even gone undercover to friend people on fb and check people's myspace twitter...to see if we're cyberbullying which i think is a little out of line for a school official to do, administrators should have no contact with the students outside of school. I also think that if the bullying is taking place on school the school has every right to get involved, however, if the bullying takes place online and the students involved dont report it to the school (they report it to parents, the police if it gets that bad, or no one) its none of the schools business...