Addressing
Cyberbullying in
Schools
Our MissionMission
We are dedicated to improving
the lives of kids and families by
providing the trustworthy
information, education, and
independent voice they need to
thrive in a world of media and
technology.
Vision
Our Vision
We envision a world in which
every kid knows how to make
safe, responsible, and respectful
choices to harness the learning
potential of digital media in a
24/7 connected world.
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Educate
• Digital Literacy +
Citizenship resources
• Whole-community approach
• Over 36,000 registered
schools
Investigate
• Provide reliable, independent
data on children's use of
media and technology and the
impact it has on their physical,
emotional, social, and
intellectual development.
Today’s goals
• Overview of bullying and cyberbullying
• Discuss prevention and response
• Explore education resources
• Cyberbullying Toolkit
• Sample lesson activities
• Suggested implementation
• Parent engagement
• Action Plan
How many hours per week does the
average American child between 8-18
spend with media and technology?
a. 35
b. 45
c. 53
d. 77
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010
How many hours per week does the
average American child between 8-18
spend with media and technology?
a. 35
b. 45
c. 53
d. 77
Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010
How many texts does the average teen
exchange (send or receive) per month?
a. 3,417
b. 2,025
c. 5,406
d. 1,347
Nielsen, 2011
How many texts does the average teen
exchange (send or receive) per month?
a. 3,417
b. 2,025
c. 5,406
d. 1,347
Nielsen, 2011
What is the average age for kids to get
their first cell phone?
a. Between 7 and 8
b. Between 9 and 10
c. Between 11 and 12
d. Between 13 and 14
Nielsen, 2010
What is the average age for kids to get
their first cell phone?
a. Between 7 and 8
b. Between 9 and 10
c. Between 11 and 12
d. Between 13 and 14
Nielsen, 2010
Bullying
A form of repeated aggression that is directed
by one or more people towards another person.
No Bully (www.nobully.com)
Bullying occurs in many forms
Physical
Verbal
Relational
Cyberbullying
Children’s use of digital media tools, such
as the Internet and cell phones, to
deliberately and repeatedly hurt, harass, or
embarrass someone else.
Where does cyberbullying occur?
• Social networking sites
• Texting
• Chat rooms / Instant messaging
• Online multi-player games (MMOG’s)
• Email
What are examples of cyberbullying?
Why might kids not want to tell adults?
“It will make it worse.”
“It will happen more if
I tell on them.”
“Teachers don’t know
what to do.”
Cyberbullying in Elementary School
Carries over from playground to online
Happens in games and virtual worlds
Lack of understanding actions + outcomes
Learning communication norms
Cyberbullying in Middle School
More time being spent with digital media
Experimenting with self-disclosure
Social status and peer recognition
Puberty & changes
Cyberbullying in High School
“Drama” or “being a hater”
Conformity within peer group
Race, religion, sexuality
Lack of consequence-based thinking
How is cyberbullying different?
Cyberbullying vs. face-to-face bullying
• Anonymous
• Permanent
• Disinhibition
• Incontrollable
• Public
• Inescapable
• 24/7
Kids who bully
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Need control and power
Want to emphasize social status
Lack conflict resolution skills
Negative outlook
Sense of entitlement
Feeling of superiority over others
Intolerance toward differences
Feel the right to exclude
Lack empathy
Kids who are targeted
Effects of cyberbullying
“It makes me hurt both
physically and
mentally. It scares me
and takes away all my
confidence. It makes
me feel sick and
worthless.” - Teenager who
was cyberbullied
Source: Cyberbullying Research Center. (2010).
Cyberbullying: Identification, Prevention and
Response.
Effects of cyberbullying
•
Feeling humiliated, embarrassed,
depressed, sad, angry
•
Not wanting to be around friends or family
•
Acting out
•
Afraid to go to school
•
Constant “fight or flight” response
•
Academic problems
•
School violence and delinquent behavior
•
Suicidal thoughts and feelings
Signs to watch for
• Any talk about "drama" online
• Secretive behavior, especially on
computers or phones
• Unusually defensive when asked about
online activities
• Spends a lot of time online or with phone
• Change in behavior: quiet, sad, depressed
Roles kids play in cyberbullying
Target
Offer support
Provide solutions to help
Stand up for them
Prevent future incidents
Roles kids play in cyberbullying
Target
Bully
Offer support
Provide solutions to help
Stand up for them
Prevent future incidents
Acknowledge the problem
Understand their feelings
Enact consequences
Get help if needed
Roles kids play in cyberbullying
Target
Bully
Offer support
Provide solutions to help
Stand up for them
Prevent future incidents
Acknowledge the problem
Understand their feelings
Enact consequences
Get help if needed
Bystander
Thank them for sharing
Encourage action
Keep communication
open
Roles kids play in cyberbullying
Target
Bully
Offer support
Provide solutions to help
Stand up for them
Prevent future incidents
Acknowledge the problem
Understand their feelings
Enact consequences
Get help if needed
Bystander
Upstander
Thank them for sharing
Encourage action
Keep communication
open
Commend their good
choices
Encourage community
What kids can do
• Customize privacy settings and be selective about who
can see what.
• Don’t share passwords.
• Understand you aren’t anonymous online.
• Treat others with respect, and expect to be treated the
same.
• Be an “upstander”
o
By doing nothing you are doing something

Be an ally by being supportive to the target
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/kevin-curwickminnesota-osseo-nice-things_n_1784908.htm
Solutions: A whole-community approach
alxa.ru
Prevention: What schools can do
Policy
Education
feltcafe.blogspot.co
Policy
Solution-oriented vs. Punishment-oriented
proconlists.co
Policy elements
• Education of Students, Parents, and Staff
• Acceptable use of the district’s technological resources
• Use of filters to block internet sites
• Supervision and monitoring of student activity
• Mechanisms for reporting cyberbullying
• Assessment of imminent threats
• Investigation of reported incidents
School Boards Association, 2007
• Appropriate response to incidentsSource:
of California
cyberbullying
Where does your school stand?
• What are the pros and cons of a zero-tolerance
approach versus a solution-oriented approach?
• Which areas of your school policy do you think are the
strongest? Which areas need work?
Source: California School Boards Association,
Education
Cyberbullying Toolkit
www.cyberbulllying/educators/cyberbullying-toolkit
Digital Literacy + Citizenship Curriculum
High-quality K-12
curriculum that
empowers students to
think critically, behave
safely, and participate
responsibly in our
digital world.
Balanced tone
Flexible
Free!
Research-based
Student-centered
Role-play
Critical thinking
Powerful videos
Low-tech or high-tech
Rings of Responsibility
Standards Alignment
Involving parents
feltcafe.blogspot.co
Additional ways to engage parents
•
•
•
•
Parent coffees
School events
Share resources where parents will get them
Have homework for parents (i.e. Make a
promise:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying
• Use your PTA or parent association
Cyberbullying is part of digital citizenship
Curriculum Categories
• Relationships &
Communication
• Digital Footprint &
Reputation
Privacy & Security
Self-image & Identity
Internet Safety
Information Literacy
Cyberbullying
Creative Credit &
Copyright
Scope and Sequence
• 65 lessons, differentiated by grade band
•
Lower elementary (K-2)
•
Upper elementary (3-5)
•
Middle (6-8)
•
High school (9-12)
• 3 units per grade level (HS has 4)
•
5 lessons per unit
•
Units are cross-curricular
•
Lessons spiral unit by unit
Implementation: Where?
•
•
• Integrated into core
• In partnership with
curriculum
• Homeroom or elective
technology instruction
Image: http://brucecollege.ie/full-time-school/subjects/
Implementation: Who?
•
• Team taught
• Requires coordination
and commitment
• Appointed teacher
• Requires school
support
• Seek out a network
beyond school
Image: demolesson.wordpress.com
Implementation: When?
• Beginning of the year
• Covering technology
policy and signing
AUPs
• In conjunction with a
school event or
awareness campaign
• Use Scope and Sequence
for pacing
recommendaiton
Common Sense Certification Program
Get “badged” for your commitment to digital citizenship education!
•
•
•
•
•
•
Complete online training
Teach 5 lessons (1 unit)
Inform principal and parent community
Communicate school’s commitment to the
entire school community
Teach students 5 lessons (1 unit) in two
grade levels
Educate parents
www.commonsense.org/educators/engagement
Response - What schools can do
Policy
Education
Response
feltcafe.blogspot.co
Things to consider
• What is the process your school will follow to investigate
and respond to cyberbullying incidents?
o Gathering evidence
o Reporting
o Tracking
o Evaluation
• Who are the go-to adults at your school?
• Who is responsible for what?
• When should you involve parents and law enforcement?
Source: California School Boards Association, 2007
Cyberbullying response resources
Additional response ideas for schools
• Communicate your policies and expectations
clearly to students and parents
• Create an anonymous drop box or hotline
• Have kids lead a school-wide campaign
• Use news stories as teachable moments
• What are your ideas?
Action Plan
Image: sngroup.com
One word…
blog.k12.co
For more information, contact:
schools@commonsense.org