Hearing about suicides is always heartbreaking. Every time I read about cases like the ones we had for this week, I wonder why the cyberbullies do this, why people have the need to feel empowered making others suffer. I also wonder why more females than males are bullied?
It was interesting to learn about the different types of cyberbullying. The cases we analyzed were very different. The differences were based on how the teenagers reacted. In addition, according to how they reacted the consequences were different. An open and safe communication between the kids and adults is very important. The students need to feel that they matter and that they are protected.
Ms. Lewinsky’s video was a journey (TED, 2015). She moved us through her 22 years vision to her 41 years old vision of what occurred and everything she had to endure. Her wiser 41 years old shared the importance of teaching compassion, empathy, and to become an upstander instead of a bystander. It impacted me to learn how the internet made it possible for more people to judge her and attack her.
I have always said that for me the most important aspect of my job is to keep my students safe. Now I know that they need to be safe not only from people outside of school but inside too. Schools need to educate kids about what cyberbullying is (Hinduja & Patchin, 2015). Schools need to explain consequences, procedures to report, implement procedures for investigations, and programs to prevent cyberbullying. It is important for schools to work with parents and the community to work together to keep lowering the numbers of cyberbullying and its negative consequences.
References:
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2015). Cyberbullying legislation and case law: Implications for school policy and practice. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved from Cyberbullying Legislation and Case Law.pdf
TED. (2015, March 20). The price of shame | Monica Lewinsky [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_8y0WLm78U
