Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices, is emerging as a challenging issue for educators as young people embrace the Internet.

There are several ways young people commit cyberbullying. They send e-mails or instant messages containing insults or threats directly to another person. Or they send hateful comments about a person through e-mail, IMs or postings on Web sites or diaries. They also send threatening text messages on their cell phones.

Schools are struggling to address the issue of cyberbullying, because it’s difficult to detect and monitor. But schools can take the following steps to control cyberbullying and protect the victims:

* Integrate curriculum-based anti-bullying programs into the classroom
* Educate teachers, students and parents about the seriousness of cyberbullying
* Change the school or board’s bullying policy to include harassment perpetrated by mobile and Internet technology
* Update the school’s computer policy to specifically prohibit using the Internet for bullying