Assignment 3 Issues

Cyberbullying Student Angie Nix Summer Semester 2011 FRIT 7330 The Internet in Schools Professor Dr. Downs

Being bullied over the internet is worse. It torments and hurts. They say sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. That quote is a lie and I dont believe in it. Sticks and stones may cause nasty cuts and scars, but those cuts and scars will heal. Insulting words hurt and sometimes take forever to heal." ~ (14 year-old girl from New Jersey) ArwenAbendstern

Policy 1
Warick School District, (2010) Bullying/cyberbullying policy, Retrieved from http://www.warwick.k12.pa.us/orgmodule.php?deptid=107&schoolid=0007&mid=248, Retrieved on July 10, 2011. The school policy from Warick School District was short, sweet, and to the point. The policy first mentions the board and how they will strive to have a school free from Bullying/cyberbullying. It mentions that all students who have been in these situations should report them immediately. The policy states that the situation will be investigated and followed up whenever a complaint is issued. The policy states that bullying in any form will not be tolerated. The policy then goes on to give the definition. Warick School District defines cyberbullying as misusing technology and creating a hostile environment that would interfere with a students learning. The policy went on to give the responsibilities of each person in the school when dealing with cyberbullying. It gave responsibilities to the administration, teacher and the students. The policy states the complaint procedure that they will go through in order to handle all bullying complaints and issues. The policy had much strength. The best part of the policy is the length. It was short and to the point. I think this is a great thing so that teachers, parents and students will actually read it and follow through with the policy. Sometimes policies can be so lengthy that you can get lost in all the legalities. The policy also had a complaint procedure that the school will follow. This is a definite plus because if anything happens EVERY situation will be handled in the correct manner and no parent, teacher or student can argue. This policy could have listed the definition first in the policy so that you understand exactly what cyberbullying is. Some parents and teachers for that matter do not exactly understand cyberbullying quite yet. It is a new issue in all schools and growing more rapidly with every passing day. The policy also mentioned that a bullying report was to be referred to when handling an issue. However, I searched and searched through the site and could not find that report. It should be linked to the policy to make it more effective and understandable to other viewers from the web.

Policy 2
Lake County Schools, (2009) Student bullying and other forms of aggression, Retrieved from: http://lake.k12.fl.us/16511031094951697/lib/16511031094951697/Policy_5.33.pdf, Retrieved on July 10, 2011.

The policy adapted by Lake County School system did not refer to cyberbullying as the name itself. Instead it referred to the issue as (2010)electronically transmitted (cyber or high-tech), psychological abuse (pg.1) The policy was very detailed and lengthy, and it stressed their zero tolerance for this kind of abuse. The policy defined behaviors. One such example was aggression and cyberbullying fell under that category as well as the category cyberbullying itself. The report even had a cyberstalking behavior that was explained in this policy. The policy told of distinctive actions and engagements that cyberbullying involves students within. The policy gave descriptive actions that could occur to be qualified as cyberbullying, A few such examples slurs, mean instant messages, rumors, or remarks. The policy had many good points. The detail of each situation was so well written. The descriptions for each act were clearly liste3d and in no way did they leave room for doubt of this action was committed. The zero- tolerance act that they put in place was also a strong point of this policy. It stated very clearly that actions will be taken if the actions of the policy were acted upon. The policy had well-spoken vocabulary on a higher end than other policies and this gave it a more professional aspect. The cyberbullying policy adapted by Lake County Schools had a few kinks that could be easily patched. First and foremost they need a plan of action when the actions mentioned in the policy are broken. Also, the policy should be separated into smaller sections to make maneuverability easier for parents. The policy was eleven pages long and only 3 pages mentioned cyberbullying. The policy also could have been enhanced by giving a more broad example of cyberbullying, yes the detail was a plus- but, it also hindered the reader with so many details that loop holes could be easily achieved if a law case were ever filed.

Policy 3
Virginia Department of Education, Division of Technology and Career Education, (2008) Cyberbullying and school policy, Retrieved from: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/technology/info_briefs/cyberbullying.pdf, Retrieved on July 11, 2011. The policy written by Virginia Department of Education, Division of Technology and Career Education was very professional and well presented. The policy was delivered as a pdf file and was research based. The policy put cyberbullying under the policy for internet safety in school. It talked about how research has showed less face to face interaction creates a more hostile environment. A kit was mentioned in the policy. This kit was given to the schools in hope to aid the cyberbullying issue. The Student Conduct Policy Guidelines (2008) defines bullying as repeated negative behaviors intended to frighten or cause harm The policy was filled with the definitions that cyberbullying entailed. The policy listed by number the forms that cyberbullying could take from within. The policy gave the readers the main details of the issue and explained the details that could occur. It constantly quoted articles that mentioned cyberbullying. The researched quotes from articles were a strong point in this policy. You could tell l form all the references that were used that this policy was not thrown together and it had many resources to back up its words. The kit that was offered to each person who had an issue occurs with cyberbullying. Also, cyberstalking was termed and described in this policy. It also went on to mention that excluding someone from a group was a term of cyberbullying. In my opinion, this was a great addition to a cyberbullying policy. The policy gave research and reasons why a safe environment was the best for all school encounters. It had many positive aspects and you could tell a lot of work went into the contents of this policy. I learned lots of new terminology while reading this policy. A few examples were, flaming, denigration, and outing. It seems new terms in our new world are created every day.

Although the policy was filled with researched details, it didnt go into specifics that it could occur. Recalled cases would have gone nicely with their layout in the policy. It also mentioned a kit one time within the policy, yet the kit was only mentioned that one time and not discussed in any more detail. I was very curious as to what the kit had in it, and would the forms or contents benefit the person involved with the cyberbullying issue. The policy listed examples, yet it didnt give examples of what happened when these occurrences took place. I couldnt find any other faults within this policy.

Policy 4 (new) PCPS

With the 21st century comes new problems and issues that arise with our students. Cyberbullying is one of those issues. I have started this policy with a definition that clearly defines what the issue entails. From there it goes deeper to understand how to handle the issue.
1. What is cyber bullying? Defined as repeated harassment, mistreatment, or making fun of another person online through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. (Cyber Bullying Research Center) Examples Threatening email Repeated text messages to cell phones Forwarding private messages, pictures, etc. Why is this an issue? Cyber bullying has increased Has a higher percentage than standard schoolyard bullying Causes higher suicide rates Children cannot get a break from this at home, as opposed to standard bullying Statistics Suicide is two times more likely with cyber bullying. 9.1% to 23.1% of students are the bullies 5.7% to 18.3% of students are the victims (Cyber Bullying Research Center) Girls are more likely to be the target 40% of teenagers have reported being cyber bullied over the last year (National Crime Prevention Council) How are students cyber bullied? Those who cyber bully: Pretend to be someone else online to trick people Spread lies and rumors about another person Trick people into revealing personal information Send or forward mean text messages Post pictures or videos about a victim without their consent Procedures to follow if misconduct of any of the above issues is a matter within or not within the school. It must be stated that any actions of cyberbullying occurring out of school that cause problems while at school will be considered. Prevention in schools Develop rules and pass them to all teachers and parents. Post policy online for easy and immediate viewing, Hold assemblies to ensure all policies are in effect. Create fliers to make all parents and students aware of situations in this context. (warning signs.) Share anti-cyber bullying messages For kids: what not to do Refuse to pass along cyber bully messages Block communication Tell a friend to stop cyber bullying Report cyber bullying to an adult Tell a victim you are sorry Warnings and parental involvement as well as suspension will be the punishment for cyberbullying. No tolerance will be in effect with this issue of cyberbullying. Cyber bullying is a problem! Dont forget that even though you cant see a cyberbully or the bullys victim, cyber bullying causes real problems. If you wont say it in person, dont say it online. Delete cyber bullying. Dont write it. Dont forward it. (National Crime Prevention Council)

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