Who would have thought that only a month ago, I
was planning the spring book fair, field trips, ordering books for library
reading time? But now due to the
COVID-19 outbreak, I am collecting resources for online learning for students
and teachers, updating the website with new resources, and creating fun
activities promote reading online for students in my elementary school. Change is scary for teachers and
students. There are so many unknowns for
everyone during this time. The “show must go on” and educating our students is
one of our top priorities. However, with
the extended time that students are now online, the possibility of
cyberbullying become more prevalent.
Since students are now online due to e-learning
and social media or gaming more than ever, cyberbullying is most likely to
increase (Hinduja, 2019) . The trend of cyberbullying has been on the
rise for years. We adults all know how
to define a bully. It someone that can
verbally, physically or relationally causing someone harm repeatedly because they
feel that they have power over that person (Faucher, Cassidy, & Jackson, 2015) .
This chart might show the trend of twelve-year
old student through seventeen-year old students but the results show their
response to the question of a “lifetime of cyberbullying”. This is a sad trend that a twelve-year old
student has had enough activity to answer this question. But many younger students don’t understand
why a friend is being mean to them. Even
more importantly, those students don’t know what to do about it.
In a classroom or school setting the teacher
can separate students to diffuse a situation.
But students are now isolated and without the parent being aware of this
activity, students could be bullied.
Some suggestions from the website Cyberbullying.org are for teachers
to do the following.
Keep in touch with all of
your students on a regular basis.
Remind them that you are
there for them and if they need something to not hesitate to ask.
Keep especially in tough
with those students that you know need the connection, the encouraging words.
Remain in contact with
parents regarding classwork and how the student is coping.
These connections might allow a student to confide
in your about a situation that is happening.
To make sure that students understand that you are supportive and understanding
during this stressful time. Parents are
a huge factor in this conversation. They
must be aware of what their students are doing online, while parents are also
working from home in many situations. Even though many students will not tell
their parent if they are being cyberbullied. An article on the website, Healthychildren.org includes many tips to cope with the “new normal” at many
current homes in the U.S.
Keeping a routine is very important. Including the student in the creation of the
schedule is very important. Limiting
screen time for games, learning and social interaction should still be
enforced. And parents should know what
their students are doing online. Make
sure to watch for signs of cyberbullying where the student is a victim or
aggressor according to Cyberbullying.org.
Some signs
of a victim of cyberbullying are a student:
Stopping the use of their
device or being jumpy when on the device.
Appearing angry or
depressed after going online
Loss of appetite
Making passing statements
about the “meaningless of life”
Some signs
of being an aggressor of cyberbullying:
Hiding the device when a
parent is near.
Getting upset if they can’t
use their device.
Having multiple online
accounts.
Being overly concerned with
popularity or being in the right crowd.
Demonstrating increased
insensitivity or callousness towards peers.
During this time of social distancing that we
are all working from home, we must do what we can to make the experience for
our students a good one. This means
academically, socially, and emotionally.
Be diligent to look out for signs of cyberbullying in your school students
or at-home students.
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.
Hinduja, S. (2019, March 16). Coronavirus, online
learning, social isolation, and cyberbullying: how to support our students.
Retrieved from Cyberbullying Research Center:
https://cyberbullying.org/coronavirus-online-learning-social-isolation-cyberbullying
Patchin, J. (2019, March 19). School bullying rates
increase by 35% from 20016-2019. Retrieved from Cyberbullying research
center:
https://cyberbullying.org/school-bullying-rates-increase-by-35-from-2016-to-2019
