Preventatives or measures against cyberbullying in school.

 

Effective ways to prevent cyberbullying in schools are as follow:

1. Establish clear policies against bullying

Developing anti-cyberbullying policies helps schools prevent it by s

etting clear expectations and consequences for acceptable and responsible device usage on and off campus, during and outside of school hours, and between students at different locations. These policies proactively establish a school culture of respect and responsible digital behavior.

  • That can be done by doing the following questions:
  • What does/doesn’t happen if incidents occur on school devices versus personal devices?
  • What does/doesn’t happen if incidents take place on or off of the school’s campus?

  •  One best practice is to involve students and parents in the drafting of such policies so that all stakeholders have a voice, ownership and onus. Clearly outline the expectations and consequences around device handling, maintenance and respectful use.

2. Adopt a digital citizenship program

 No one is immune to the threat of cyberbullying, so awareness begets prevention.

First, some norms need to be taught about the implementation and importance of digital citizenship.There are safety and security measures that all who use digital devices need to recognize. From resetting passwords to turning off location sharing, each student needs to understand the “why” behind the “what” when it comes to maintaining their account settings and protecting their privacy and personal information.

Plus, online communication can be more complex and dynamic than what we are used to in person. There are nuances, innuendos, and non-verbal communication that can be lost. Many feel a disassociation effect when they are behind a screen and not seeing the person on the other side. The set of expectations for what kinds of online interactions are not only safe but also respectful and responsible. From the words they use to the images they share, users need to pause before they post. 



3. Name the roles

When it comes to cyberbullying, educate everyone on the roles we play, from offender to victim to upstander. To empower all ages not to be bystanders who simply watch the digital drama unfold; instead to encourage all to say something when they see something. 

A bully (offender or perpetrator): the person responsible for the attacks. A victim: the person who is targeted in such attacks. A bystander: a person who sees what’s happening but does not partake. An upstander: a person who reports the incident(s) or addresses the bully.

4. Form partnerships with parents 

Consider hosting information sessions for parents and caregivers so that they are informed about the threat of online bullying and know the warning signs to watch for. Remember, not all caregivers grew up in a digital world, so they may not have prior experiences to lean on. Arm them with common language and proactive tips so that they are echoing the same valuable life lessons. Find tips, articles, and resources for every age and stage to share throughout the year. Explain school-based politics, encourage them to set family-based guidelines when at home, and underscore the shared responsibility in preventing cyberbullying.

5. Emphasize the first step to dealing with bullying: Shut it down

We also want to emphasize to all, before they are victims, what to do if they feel targeted. These are crucial ways to prevent cyberbullying. To start, as sticky as the messages can be, tell young people that when they get that “ick” feeling in their stomachs, to shut down all technology: Close the laptop, log out of the social media platform, and turn off the phone. Developmentally, this decision can actually be quite hard for kids, so underscore that this is the first step to dealing with cyberbullying. While shutting down technology or blocking a harasser doesn’t stop the hurt or prevent further harm, it is an action-oriented step the victim can take to hold onto a bit of power. Shutting down the tech can thwart any impulses to respond or react, and sometimes (albeit not always), ignoring a bully can stop the abuse.




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