Eradicating Cyberbullying: Sensitizing kids to harmful behaviors

Eradicating Cyberbullying: Sensitizing kids to harmful behaviors

More often than not, when a cyberbullying/online harassment case goes viral, the first thing we think is: how could kids be such monsters. The easy answer is: even they don’t know. Sensitizing kids to the harm they’re doing is important, sans which any ideals on the eradication of cyberbullying will only remain theoretical. Educators have often wanted to step in and take a stand, without understanding where they can start and where they should stop.

What teachers can do

There are several steps that educations can take to contain the damage that is caused by cyberbullying. Dr. Justin Patchin, in an interview with Mobistealth, outlined core steps that should be taken:-

·         Educating students as to what cyber bullying is and what the repercussions are for the bullied

·         Target students who are exhibiting harmful behaviors and ensure that they’re punished

·         Show students what a bullied child goes through, try and create empathy and not sympathy

·         Develop trust with students so that if they’re bullied they can speak up and get help

The best approach

High profile cyberbullying cases are enough to scare any teacher. However, it is important that you don’t go overboard as an educator while dealing with the issue. Most cases of cyberbullying do not end in suicide, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be taken seriously, but it also means that they should be blown out of proportion. Dr. Patchin elaborated, “I think the vast majority of cyberbullying cases can, and should, be handled informally by parents, schools, and the community at the local level… If a case does rise to the level where a criminal response is necessary we already have laws on the books to handle those kind of situations; such as harassment, or stalking, or felonious assault, or hate speech and things like that. I’d hate to criminalize the behavior even further.”

In cases where cyberbullying leads to a scenario which requires stricter legal action there are also measures within the law which can deal with the situation. Juveniles can be raised to the same level as that of an adult and then prosecuted. The focus should be on ensuring that both the bully and the bullied grow up in the most supportive environment possible, because at the end of the day they're just kids. One cannot be saved while the other is ostracized.  

What to tell the parents

Educators can reach out to parents and try to get them involved. There are some steps which only parent can take against teens who are bullies. A concerned teacher can get parents to be more hands-on in their approach to cyberbullying.    

-          Stress management: if a child is attacking another child out of stress, it’s important for parents to take a look and keep a check. If troubles at home are translating into an abusive child then that’s a problem only a parent can solve.

-          Padlocking the digital world: an educator cannot limit use of the internet, computers, cellphone etc. within a student’s home, but a parent can.  

-          Homeschooling: discipline starts at home, and it has to come from parents. Detrimental behaviors should be addressed in a family setting where the child is most comfortable. 

At the end of the day, getting rid of cyberbullying has to be a combined effort between parents, teachers and the community at large. It cannot be addressed on one front and ignored on another.