Looking into Cyberbullying for Bullying Awareness Month

      As someone who works at an elementary school, bullying is a topic that is an issue that seems to grow every year. When I was in school, it certainly happened frequently. I think most people can say they were embarrassed or bullied by someone else at some point in their life. However, the playing field, so to speak, has changed. Instead of bullying happening when you're at school, where you could possibly try and avoid a run-in with another student, it can happen any place and any time with the help of technology. Most students in upper elementary, middle, and high school have social media accounts. While based on the reading From the Sandbox to the Inbox: Comparing the Acts, Impacts, and Solutions of Bullying in K-12, Higher Education, and the Workplace, bullying is just as prevalent in childhood and adulthood, as well as the means for which it is delivered. Cyberbullying has not replaced face to face bullying. "In the K-12 studies, studies providing data on both traditional and cyber forms of bullying suggest that traditional bullying is more widespread," with noting that "cyberbullying represents one quarter to one third of all school bullying" (Faucher, Cassidy, Jackson). As a teacher and a mother, I am in the camp that thinks bullying in all forms is the same thing. The means from which it is delivered is different, but it does not change the outcome of the feelings of the bully's target. Although I believe it falls under the umbrella of bullying and there is general awareness and protocols educational settings should take to address the overall issue, I do believe that one must look at how to combat the act of cyberbullying a bit differently.
      If we educate about bullying, kindness, empathy, being an active participant, teaching against bystanding, we are teaching children about the wrong and right of this behavior. We are educating them on what not to do and what to do if they are bullied or a bystander while someone else is bullied. That is the first step. Then we must examine the outlet and means by which the bully is bullying their target. Faucher, Cassidy, and Jackson point out that "many students are unwilling to report the bullying or cyberbullying to adults, particularly to school officials, for a number of reasons, including fear of repercussions such as retaliation or having restrictions imposed on their access to technology, as well as the belief that adults will not understand, will not believe, or will not be able to help." I think that in the four years since this article was published, technology use in school has increased, as well as the age of students who now have handheld devices. I know my own school has become one to one since this article was written. The Digital Citizenship Project is one way to continue to build upon educating students about bullying by adding a deliberate layer of instruction that focuses on the use of bullying through the use of technology (cyberbullying). I think checking out their site for educators (see below) is a great way to look into responsible, meaningful ways to tackle the topic of cyberbullying.

      Exploring this site, along with the other resources from this module, led me to learn about Trisha Prabhu. She is the inventor of ReThink. Since learning about this impressive young lady and her product, I have watched several TED videos of her speaking. Her being moved to create something to combat cyberbullying due to the suicide of a complete stranger is moving. She has a video specifically addressing teenagers. I believe this video could easily be shared with middle and high school students in school. It explains to them why they may act impulsively online and the impact of impulsive online behavior. I think it is just as important for students to understand the why, as it is for them to understand how to change that. Below is the video of Trisha explaining why she was moved to create ReThink and what she has discovered on her journey to help others. The fact that she herself is a teenager also helps middle and high school students understand the importance of the issue. The message they have received before rings truer when being delivered by someone their age. I made my 12 and 14 year-old watch this video. 

      Although the video is for a teenage audience, I do believe teachers and librarians could share the site ReThink with parents and caregivers. ReThink has many resources and information on the subject of cyberbullying. After learning about ReThink, I have added the app to my own children's phones. The app was completely free through the App Store on their iPhones. By viewing the site with elementary age students and sharing the information with parents/caregivers, librarians and teachers can educate them on the issue, while giving them a means to help stop it. Trisha says that this is more than a product or a piece of technology. ReThink states it is "a push to end online hate and raise responsible digital citizens." As future and current librarians, we are advocates for helping students become responsible citizens when they are navigating the digital world. 

Resources

Faucher, C., Cassidy, W., & Jackson, M. (2015). From the Sandbox to the Inbox: Comparing the Acts, Impacts, and Solutions of Bullying in K-12, Higher Education, and the Workplace. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 3(6), 111-125. doi:10.11114/jets.v3i6.1033

Orech, J. (2012, August). How It's Done: Incorporating Digital Citizenship Into Your Everyday Curriculum. Retrieved October 20, 2019, from http://www.techlearning.com/