I wonder what our school is doing about it?
Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment for all members of the
school community. To achieve this most schools have developed a whole school approach that engages
all key learning areas, all year levels and the wider community. It includes many aspects of school
life, such as curriculum, culture, teaching practices, policies and procedures.
Cyber bullying should be considered within this context.
A comprehensive approach to address cyber bullying includes the following:
Protection and preparation
A comprehensive assessment is necessary to identify concerns about cyber bullying in the school community and underlying issues such as attitudes and reporting.
Whole school policies that are well communicated
All policies related to Internet use, cell phone use, bullying, and suicide prevention should be reviewed to address:
- Code of conduct for use of technology
- Effective supervision and monitoring for deterring cyber bullying
- Effective intervention for detecting, investigating, and responding to incidents of cyber bullying
- Reporting of cyber bullying
Professional development
All staff require professional development in general awareness and in ways
to detect, review and intervene. Teachers who are instructing students about
cyber bullying need insight into the concerns and how to motivate safe and
responsible behaviour.
Parent education
The school can provide parents with information about the concerns, about
how to prevent, detect and intervene if their child is being cyber bullied,
about how to prevent their child from participating in cyber bullying, about
the legal consequences of cyber bullying, and about strategies to empower
and activate bystanders.
Education about safe and responsible use
Cyber bullying occurs in on-line environments where there are no responsible
adults present therefore it is important that young people are taught to independently
prevent cyber bullying and to address the underlying issues. Curriculum programs
incorporating social skills and values education as well as direct teaching
of “netiquette” could all help to reduce cyber bullying. Peer helper programs,
buddy programs and transition programs will also help to develop an ethos
of support in the school community.
Further information for schools
Cyberbullying (WA)
A collection of useful resources and links for introducing the issues surrounding
cyberbullying to students, teachers and parents. Department of Education and Training, Western Australia.
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/
cyberbullying/
Cyber bullying (VIC)
Policy, strategies, advice and resources including downloadable posters, bookmarks and wallet cards to assist in
responding to and preventing cyber bullying.
Provided by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/healthwellbeing/safety/bullying/default.htm
Cybersmart teacher resources
A guide for teachers to build an entire cybersafety program for five year levels, units of work which provide activities for use in the classroom and supporting lesson plans and student handouts. From the Australian Communications and Media Authority.http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools/Teacher%20resources.aspx
Also see resources listed on other pages of this Spotlight.
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