Session 7 Discussion

[Clinton]

After reading through the cyber bullying material from the Session 7
Wiki page and viewing the short videos, has your idea of cyber
bullying changed at all? Did this information broaden your knowledge
of this topic?

What impact does cyber bullying have on the classroom? Have you seen
first-hand the impact of cyber bullying in your classroom, if so, and
if you can, please share examples?

What are some strategies that you can use in your classroom to reduce
cyber bullying and it's impact on the classroom environment?

[Glenda]

It is amazing to learn that only 16% of kids talk to parents about
what they are doing online. It is also hard to believe that one in
three teenagers have dealt with some form of online harassment, with
most of those occurrences being girls. .It is scary that 27% of kids
have reported being bullied over the internet. Cyber bullying allows
people to be irresponsible and use personal abuse. This personal
abuse is simply social misbehavior which allows the users to have
anonymity and a hidden agenda. Unfortunately, the greater amount of
time students are online, the greater the negative risks.

There are several risks involved when using the internet. However,
because of the size of our school , internet use is very limited and
the students are heavily monitored, along with filters. There need to
be consequences if the rules at school are broken. The problem would
seem to be greater for the home environment after learning that 50%
of the students are alone online at home. Young people are very quick
to share personal information over the internet and some would do
anything to find friends even if it could lead to online cyber
bullying.

We do need to educate our kids, and parents , on the risks associated
with internet use. It is very important to get the parents involved.
We need to all work together to protect our children. We need to teach
internet safety and stress the importance of being aware of dangers
online . We need to constantly remind them at an early age about the
dangers of internet use. They need to know what steps they are to take
and the fact that they need to tell an adult if they are being
bullied. Students need to tell someone they can trust if they receive
threatening emails. They also need to be reminded to avoid sharing
passwords, usernames,email addresses with people they don't know.
Young children can be taught to take the same steps they have learned
in the Stranger Danger program.

[Cathy]

My view of cyber bullying has not changed at all. I know how vicious
teens can be. I don't think that these cyber bullies realize how cruel
they really are. The cyber bullies need to be taught respect. I am
sure that a lot of this starts in the home where there isn't a lot of
parent supervision. Many of these teens that are bullying have a very
low self esteem. They probably are also not involved in sports. If
they were they wouldn't have as much time to bully on the computer.
Some of them probably are very jealous of others and don't have a lot
of friends. Some of these teens think bullying on the computer is fine
as long as it isn't directed at them. I think that the best quote
from these articles was that students need "to be accountable for
actions and not to stand by and allow bullying in any form". I also
liked, "Silence when others are being hurt, is not acceptable".

Since I teach kindergarten I do not see a lot of cyber bullying in my
classroom. I have been on our anti-bullying committee at Lynch-Bustin
and took a two-day course on bullying this past summer. We recently
had a "Be a Buddy, Not a Bully" kickoff at our school. My students
are very in tune to bullying. They don't hesitate to talk about
bullying.

As a teacher it is my job to educate my children about bullying. It is
my job to step in if I see another person being bullied. Students need
to be taught to respect others no matter how they feel about them.
They need to know what the consequences are of bullying others, even
at the Kindergarten age.

On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[Flotty]

Impact on the classroom can be less provided that a safe classroom is
already in place. I believe that because of the small classroom size
in my room, living in the neighborhood, and have sons in the high
school, I'm very informed of what is going on. I am very much against
bullying in any setting. I do want to stress that bullying is nothing
new......it has been around sense the beginning of time. What I would
like to point out with cyber bullying is that is it documented..unlike
bullying in the locker room. Cyberbullying is a lot easier to prove
because a hard copy can be produced. I would much rather have hard,
solid, facts than "he said, she said, etc...." What a great deal of
students don't realize is that e in e-mail stands for evidence- I
tell my students if you feel you are in jeopardy keep the evidence-
print it out and take it to your parents- from their the proper
peoples can be contacted to deal with the situation.
Overall-cyberbullying is by far easier to punish than verbal, physical
bullying in the school setting.

On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[devin.ho...@gmail.com]

Considering that kids are on some form of electronic device pretty
much 24 hours a day, either the computer, phone, ithouch, whatever, it
shouldn't be too surprising that kids are getting bullied or being
bullies. Additionally, with the false sense of anonymity, kids are
bolder. It, in a sense, evens the playing field~ the scrawny little
kid doesn’t feel intimidated by the big guy anymore because he/she
isn’t physically in the same room.

Instant messaging makes cyber bullying a little more personal. Unless
someone puts their screen name up somewhere publicly, only friends and
people you choose to give it to should have it. Unfortunately, it’s
pretty easy to make up other screen names and passwords. If Timmy and
Fred are good friends, but Fred gets mad at Timmy, he can change his
screen name and terrorize Timmy. It’s almost like changing
personalities.

In a classroom setting, cyber bullying could be reduced by making
stricter online rules. If a class is working on a project and has to
post comments on a message board, assign screen names is class…
something like our school user names ‘dhouseholder’ Make sure you have
the ability to block unwanted users from getting on the message
boards. Probably even more importantly, monitor what is being said. If
the students are working in class- don’t wait until the period is over
to read what they posted.

[Beth]

The information that I read did not really change my view of what
cyberbullying is. I was aware that cyberbullying can take so many
different forms. I did find a few interesting tidbits, though. I did
not really realize the legal repercussions for defamatory libel until
I read about it on these pages. I believe of more kids realized that
there were legal ramifications they may be less likely to engage in
cyber bullying. I was also not aware that most ISP's have AUP's. I
guess I probably just skipped all that and clicked "I agree" when I
signed up with my ISP. I was hoping to learn more under the PEW's page
about "Why teens cyber bully?", but I don't think they ever really
answered that question. I also think the STOP Bullying website way-
oversimplified things when they narrowed down cyber bullies into only
four categories. I also thought the results from the PEW research was
interesting. To me, the statistics about cyber bullying were lower
than what I expected. I did not go back and look for sure, but there
seemed to be some discrepancies between this research and the previous
article we had read. In this article, where the kids were surveyed, it
seemed as if parents were not really that involved with a child's
online behavior. However, the previous article, where adults were
surveryed seem to say the opposite. Hmmm?

In our school, I have seen very little impact from cyber bullying.
Kids at the middle school level love to be social, and they love to
talk. Honestly, though, very few kids talk about being online all of
the time. I'll sometimes hear kids say "Are you going online
tonight?", but it's usually just to talk to friends. I have heard very
few stories of online bullying.

I can't recall any specific instances of cyber bullying at our school.
There have been issues with photos being sent on cell phones that I
would really rather not describe.

I do believe that cyber bullying can have a major impact on the
classroom. Just like any form of harassment, it can create tension
among classmates. At its worst, it can make children afraid to come to
school. Kids can't learn if they feel threatened. That's a basic rule
from Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Cyber bullying is more difficult,
though, because teachers (or parents) may not see it going on in the
same way that they would see bullying face-to-face.

Some of what I read actually made me a bit paranoid. I Googled myself
about fifteen minutes ago to see if I was a victim of online bullying.
So far, so good.

I have wondered to myself if an "Ignorance is bliss" approach to this
problem is a solution. I think about having kids of my own someday,
and I wonder if they really need a cell phone and need to be on social
networking sites and everything else. Of course, none of the articles
I have read advocate that approach. Some strategies include making
students well aware of acceptable and unacceptable uses of the
Internet. Students also need to be well aware of the consequences.
Students need to know that if they are victims of cyber bullying, then
they must report it to a trusted adult. School administrators need to
create acceptable use policies for students. Those policies should
include statements about actions taken off school grounds that could
affect the school. (I found this particularly interesting.) It is also
very important to involve parents in knowing about the effects of
cyber bullying. As with many of the topics that we discussed before,
it is important for teachers to model proper use of the Internet.

PS...The poor janitor in the third video. Why does he have to be the
child molestor? Why are we picking on the janitors? Huh? That's an
unfair stereotype!

[nancy]

The information provided has certainly broadened my knowledge of
cyberbullying. I was interested to note that some forms of online
bullying are criminal acts in Canada if they make someone fear for
their safety. It is also libel to insult or injure a person's
reputation and that is a crime also. I don't think students or their
parents realize how serious this is. In third grade I have not seen
any evidence of cyberbullying. We have a great anti-bullying program
done by the guidance department which is carried over into our
classroom and recess behaviors. Pointing out bullying to kids and
putting a name to it has helped handle the situations better. Our kids
do lots of role-playing which shows them how it feels to be bullied
and to be the bully. This needs to be carried over into the internet
world. I can see how it would be different to handle the bullying when
it is so anonymous and kids can't see the reactions and consequences
of cyberbullying. They need to be taught that the bullying is the
same whether it is face-to-face or electronic.

On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[Lynda]

I had seen at least one of the videos on the television. I was not
real surprised to read the information in the articles.I have
discussed the fact that people say things on the computer that they
would not say in person with my son and some of his friends.I also
discuss the fact that when you are " talking" on the computer with
someone there might be someone else present that you are unaware
of.They act like I have 3 heads. Hopefully, I am not as dumb regarding
the computer with my daughter as I was with my son. Teachers should
reassure their students that they should tell an adult, possibly
themselves if someone is harassing them on the computer. This bullying
can certainly carry over into the classroom. If it does carry over,
then with some investigation possibly the bullying can be stopped and
deterred.

On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[Rena']

To answer your first question: Has my idea of cyber bullying
changed? I would have to say no. I actually thought the percentages
would be much higher as I work out of a guidance office. I probably
have a dented veiw as a large part of my job is dealing with there
issues. The 3rd highest cause of death for adolecents is suicide.
There are many reasons for this but some of the causes are bullying.
I have seen a huge difference in how students bully in the past few
years as communication through the use of technology has increased.
Much of the population I work with do not have positive role models,
family support, good social or communication skills, and most have low
self esteem. I have seen an increase of school phobia and again I
relate some of the increase is do to bullying as well. Students who
use the internet as a way of bullying find it empowering and say
things through net working that they would usually not have the
courage to say face to face. Many students have been on the end of
being bullied and feel entitled to use this form of communication to
vent their anger and get even. For the most part there are limited if
any consequences. We've had students who make changes in content and
bring copies in to try to get a person in trouble. Parents get
involved and the social networking continues between students and
their parents creating even more drama. We have bulling programs and
internet safety programs for all grade levels but they are wonderful
for the average student but don't seem to reach the population that I
work with.

Part of my job is to work with students through mediation. One of the
problems with social networking is that students can not see the pain
that they have caused on another persons face. Through mediation they
can see the pain and indentifying feelings is also a large part of the
process and then learning how to communicate thoughts and how to have
a fair and productive disagreement. Anger management can also be a
part of the process as well as working to build positive self esteem.
Teaching students about healthy relationships and how to deal with
bullying as a whole and since cyber bulling is so big, how to deal
with these issues as they come up. It is suprising to me how many
students truly don't realize how hurtful they are being. At the time
they are usually angry and they are trying to satisfy their own needs,
most of the time they don't realize the impact their words are having
on the other person. If verbal communication is difficult can one
only imagine how many misinterpretations there are through e-mails? I
cannot tell you how many fights are caused because one student
misuderstood what the other student wrote in their my-space.

On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[diane]

On Mar 7, 9:44 pm, diane <dw...@troyareasd.org> wrote:
> On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:
>
>
>

> > After reading through the cyber bullying material from the Session 7
> > Wiki page and viewing the short videos, has your idea of cyber
> > bullying changed at all?  Did this information broaden your knowledge

> > of this topic? These commercials are shown on our news channel at school.  I remember the first time that the commercial was shown about the little girl giving the speech about the other little girl.  The class got really quiet and everyone just watched so intently.  I was shocked at the little girl giving the speech.  The students were shocked too.  They commented on how mean she was and that they could not believe that she would say something like that.  But at the end of the commercial when you realize it is on the internet that this is happening, they seemed alittle more at ease. This shocked me to think that they thought it wasn't as bad as long as it was on the internet.  I really don't think that they know how it affects a child when they put it on the internet.  It seems to be less hurtful because it is only typed.  I don't  think my idea of cyber bullying has changed.  Bullying is bullying now matter how you do it.  The internet is just another but easier way to bully someone.

>
> > What impact does cyber bullying have on the classroom?  Have you seen
> > first-hand the impact of cyber bullying in your classroom, if so, and

> > if you can, please share examples? I teach Algebra. the students come in, we do Algebra and they leave. I really don't see anything that involves cyberbullying. I am pretty much nieve as to what goes on outside of the classroom. I'm sure that it takes place and know that guidence has dealt with many issues. I think that haveing students all day and gettiing to know them on a broader basis would involve you in their internet usage. But, as a math teacher, we talk math for the time that I have them and that's about it.

>
> > What are some strategies that you can use in your classroom to reduce

> > cyber bullying and it's impact on the classroom environment?- Hide quoted text -Our school works with the Crisis Center in Towanda and we have days during the year when they come in and work with each class about cyberbullying and other topics. We als are involved in an anti-bullying program. I think in the classroom I just don't allow any negative comments about anyone. My classroom is supposed to be a safe place to be and I want everyone to feel comfortable there. I try to stress the importance of being different and how good it is to be different. When doing math we talk about all the possible ways to do one problem and everyone is allowed to share how they thought the problem through. We stress how different everyone's way of solving the problem was but that we all got the same answer. Not everyone thinks alike and that is a good thing. Be yourself!
>
> - Show quoted text -

[amy b.]

Good old fashioned, in-your-face bullying was bad enough. Now that
kids can "hide' behind technology it is amazing what they will say and
do. I know that we all think that we are teaching tolerance (at home
and school) but apparently from these stats on cyberbullying, we
aren't getting the job done. Basic respect, patience, and kindness
for others is a lost skill on students(adults too!) I teach young
kids so I am not a witness to cyber bullying first hand, but my part
in solving the problem can be to teach respect for others and their
feelings. Those brief "teachable moments" and simply "encouraging"
kind behavior that we all have done for years, isn't getting the
message across. Kids are more insecure than ever and are nastier to
each other than ever. They need to be TAUGHT...shown how and why!
Formal lessons are necessary. Nobody at home spends much time (for
varied reasons)being a role model for respectful/tolerant behavior
anymore. We teachers have to make the time to do it. It's as..maybe
MORE important than the rest of the academics we teach.

[marlene]

After reading the articles for Session 7, I feel in some cases, it is
nature for kids to try to do things when they know they will not be
caught. Cyber bullying through internet, cell phone texts or pictures
is an easy way to get to someone and feel t hey will not be caught. I
have had personal experience with cyber bullying. Not with me, but
with a friend's daughter. A picture was taken of her without her
concent by cell phone camera and sent to many others. She did not
know of this picture until in school when approached by a teacher.
This took place in the fall and she has not been back to school since
and is virtually afraid of any kind of internet as well as cell phone
contacts. Watching the agony that she went through, I can only
imagine the things other teens as well as adults endure when being
bullied. I truely feel that parents need to be so aware of what is
going on with their kids at all times. Key is to keep an open line of
communication with their children. I also think kids need to know
the consequences for their actions and that the punishments need to be
harsh. After all, this could potentially ruin someones life.

On Feb 25, 2:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[Bruce]

I guess I just didn't realize or think about the number of people
these negative messages could reach or the number of sites they could
be posted to. So yes I think I would have to say my idea of cyber
bullying has changed. Yes it did broaden my knowledge of this topic.
I had thought of it as much more contained to just e-mail or instant
messaging. I have not been witness to any cyber bullying in my own
classroom generally as a special education teacher (resource) I have
the luxury of very small class sizes. Its easier for me to monitor
students. I have not had any of my students mention being cyber
bullied. I have heard of it happening from other teachers. I think
the videos that we viewed would be a good start making kids aware but
at the same time I think that it gives ideas to those that are
predisposed to do this sort of thing. Making students aware that if
they are cyber bullied they should report it to parents, teachers,
guidance, or administration may help the victims and make the bully
aware that there may be consequences for their behavior.

On Feb 25, 2:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[Martha]

I wasn't surprised by most of the information I read here about cyber
bullying as the vast technologies available to kids/people almost
entice misuse. The idea of being anonymous enables so many to be far
bolder than they would be otherwise. A continuing concern for society
in general is the lack of responsibility for one's actions and this is
certainly gaining momentum through cyber bullying. Certainly with the
rapid growth of new/different/better technology, unfortunately cyber
bullying is sure to grow also.
As a primary reading teacher, I have to honestly say that cyber
bullying has no impact on my students. But, I firmly believe that the
more vigilant we can be to help our students learn to treat each other
with dignity and respect, it will impact areas such as cyber
bullying.

[janet]

Bullying has always takenplace in schools with kids. especially
teenagers. The difference is we knew who the bully was and could get
a handle on it. However, cyberbullying is a whole other story. The
biggest and meanest bullies hide behind their computers. I have heard
so many horrible stories that include sending nude pictures around
schools, suicides, parents getting in the acts of pretending to be a
boyfriend of one of their daughter's friends etc.
Here at Lynch-Bustin we have started an anti-bullying program
educating students about bullying. Our motto, is "Be a buddy, not a
bully". This program has tuned our students into what a bully is and
what bullies try to do.
I teach Kindergarten and I have used our new bully program to teach
respect and kindness to one another. We have made charts for 100 acts
of kindness and have read many books about bullying and respect for
one another. Because I teach kindergarten, I am not involved in cyber-
bullying but maybe the anti-bully program will lay the foundations for
them not to be cyber-bullies in the future.

[Katie Kelley]

I knew about cyber bullying, but not that it could go to such
extremes. I didn't realize that it could go so far as to cost parents
thousands of dollars in court and lawyers fees not to mention
destroying accounts and possible expulsion from school due to false
allegations. The fact that bullies are usually also victims is scary
because how do we as parents and educators break that cycle? For
example: My nine year old had insulation from a fallen ceiling tile
rubbed on her. In trun she rubed it on someone else. Eventually it was
discovered that this passed on from one child to another until someone
turned them in. I was bvery surpirsed that she just passed it on so to
speak rather than stopping it. What a hard lesson to teach knowing
that my daughter has been picked on in the past. It's a difficult line
to draw the difference between standing up for yourself and bullying.
I was also surprised at the amount of criminal activity that goes on
with cyber bullying. This could really open peoples eyes. Especially
parents and students.

Cyber bullying can have a huge impact on the classroom. It can cause
students to be withdrawn in a social setting and be preoccupied with
the bullying, causing lower grades and socially unacceptable behavior.
Which can ultamitely lead to more bullying due to the regressive
behaviours.

Talking about this with students can have a huge impact. I sometimes
forget that children want to be liked and respected as much as we do
and talking with them face to face can have a huge impact. I see the
impact it has had on my own child with small things such as buying a
snack at school. I explained to her the importance of eating her lunch
and behaving at school and that the snack would be a treat or reward
for her continued good behavior and not her right. When she was asked
why she doesn't buy more than one snack a week at school by her
grandmother she replied,"Katie said that I can only have one a
week!!!" I am proud that she understands this concept and can be
trusted to only buy one snack a week without having to moniter the
schools lunch account to see if she bought a snack or not daily.

On Feb 25, 1:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote:

[Jim]

It just breaks my heart how devistating a tool the cyber platform can
be. The cell phone picture stuff is so disheartening. Digital matter
goes around the world a few times before anyone can address it. And
really the laws have not caught up to the technology. Legislative
action is so very much needed to address the invasion of the person.
I have heard of some cyber bullying, but have not witnessed it
personally. Maybe my head has been in the sand about this topic. The
videos might be a good tool for education and proactive medicine for
cyber bullying.

[matt]

After reading the cyber bullying material and watching the
videos, my idea of cyber bullying has not changed. However, they have
definitely broadened my knowledge of cyber bullying. Being a second
grade teacher, I do not believe that cyber bullying has impacted any
of the students in my classroom. I fully understand that I could be
completely wrong though.
Kids today are becoming very insensitive to others feelings and
it seems to be getting progressively worse. Teachers and parents need
to be more active in teaching proper social skills. Many of the
problems that occur (arguing, fighting, bullying, cyber bullying) can
be reduced by the children learning proper social skills. I try to
model these skills in my classroom every day and I believe that it has
made a positive impact on the lives of my students. It is also easy
to tell which students have parents that are also invested in teaching
proper social skills. On the other hand, there are those students who
have parents/guardians that have poor social skills and are passing
these along to their children. Parents and guardians need to realize
that they are the most important person in their child's life and how
their actions effect the actions of their children.
It is essential that teachers educate our students and parents
about the dangers associated with internet use. This needs to begin
at an early age and evolve as the students progress through school.
Students need to feel comfortable telling an adult if they are being
bullied and know the proper steps to take. There are many sites and
organizations devoted to stopping internet abuse and cyber bullying.
The technology available to us can be utilized to prevent children
from being victimized by the people and technology that they interact
with every day.

On Feb 25, 2:21 pm, Clinton <ad...@northern-tier.us> wrote: