Secondary school children are more susceptible to being cyber bullied. Based on this article children between the ages of 11 to 19 have either been bullied, know someone who has, or are the culprits themselves. I disagree I believe it to be even earlier than secondary school. I believe it to start in the later years of middle school. Children at these grade levels have greater access to computers and mobile phone then add to that recipe the fact that they are going through a major hormonal and social group transformation. Studies shows that girls are more likely than boys to become victims because girls hold grudges for longer period of time, while boys get it over with then and there. I agree because it is a well-known fact that the majority of females tend to have a “mean streak” when their boundaries have been infiltrated.
Studies shows that cyber bully is unlike traditional bullying, it is experienced more outside of school than in school. This could be because some schools ban the use of cell phones, if seen with one it will be taken away till the end of school year. I don’t believe secondary school children are going to take that risk. In addition, Internet access in some schools is monitored and most of the social websites are blocked.
Often times the victim is aware that the bully is someone in their school. Bullies do not need school media to cyberbully anyone. According to the article victims know the bully is someone in their school, so the problem follows them into school the following day. Blocking the sites and banning mobile phones will not stop cyber bullying or the underlying affects. I’m not saying that school policies are not worth being implemented, but that other avenues or psychological support needs to be implemented to help victims.
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I am really glad that you are blogging about this. This is a concern that I am not very familiar with. I need to learn as much as possible, especially in regards to the warning signs, so that I know what to watch for with my future students and in the classroom. I can imagine that bullying has continued to worsen, and that cyberbullying must be a very difficult issue to deal with, for both students and teachers.
ReplyDeleteEleven years old would be 6th/7th grade so I think the article agrees with your observations. One discussion I've had with parents includes the notion you describe....that students cannot get away from the bullying because of the cell phones, Facebook, etc. Bullying can become 24/7 and the home is no longer a safe haven.
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