Cyber bullying can have devastating consequences. Collectively, how can we work towards preventing, managing and possibly correcting it? This article will explore a top down approach with emphasis on preventative measures. It will explore ways in which as a province, school board, school and individually we can help all students.
Provincially
The province plays a critical role in the prevention, management and control over the issue of cyber bullying and bullying in general. Here are some of the key tools the Ministry of Education implements.
- Professional development framework
- Provides access to community supports that help reinforce Internet safety in the school, at home and in the community.
- Implementation of safe school policies and legislation, Safe at School Act, as well as adaptations and modifications made to it.
- Creation of a framework and understanding of the content of new policies and rules.
School Boards
At a school board level the requirement for implementation of initiatives is the same province wide. The method of delivery and individual contribution to cyber bullying prevention varies from board to board. The Ministry of Education states that all school boards must require all their schools revise their existing school-wide bullying prevention and intervention plans as part of their School Improvement Plan (OPHEA, 2015).
Requirements of the plan must include;
- The definition of bullying
- Prevention and awareness-raising strategies
- Intervention and support strategies, including plans to protect victims
- Reporting requirements
- Training strategies for members of the school community
- Communication and outreach strategies
- Monitoring and review processes
Peel District School Board is an exemplar of a board that is taking progressive measures to combat cyber bullying. Peel has two excellent programs in which they are currently introducing into schools. Digital Citizenship & Choose Action!.
Digital Citizenship: “Connecting our board-wide character attributes is a key component of our digital citizenship initiative at Peel District School Board. This poster helps staff explicitly teach and raise awareness of positive digital citizenship.” (Peel District School Board, 2015).
Choose Action!: “What if Everyone Did Something to Stop Cyber bullying Campaign. Students in our secondary schools created videos and posters to help raise awareness about cyber bullying and to ask others to be the change. This project is a partnership with Peel Regional Police.” (Peel District School Board, 2015).
School Based Action
Within the school place there are many different initiatives that can occur to promote understanding and prevent occurrences of cyberbullying.
- Promote a supportive community. It sounds like a simple task but it can often be difficult to fully implement. A supportive school community allows students to freely express their opinions and ideas. This allows an open dialogue and an avenue for reporting issues without fear of reprisal. “A supportive school climate encourages them to ask for help, and supports those who experience negative online incidents” (Ministry of Education, 2007).
- Developing student leadership. This creates a community that can support and watch out for eachother. “All students can be leaders, problem-solvers, advice-givers, and change-makers.” (Ministry of Education, 2007).
- Safe School Teams. “Each school must have in place a safe schools team responsible for school safety that is composed of at least one student (where appropriate), one parent, one teacher, one non-teaching staff member, one community partner, and the principal” (OPHEA, 2015).
References
Ministry of Education. (2007). Online Respect. Retrieved from: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/pdfs/OnLineRespect.pdf
OPHEA. (2015). Ontario Ministry of Education Policies. Retrieved from: http://www.reallifeonline.ca/Teacher-Resources/Ministry-of-Education-Policies.aspx
Peel District School Board. (2015). Safe School Resources. Retrieved from: http://www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/resouces/Pages/default.aspx
Ministry of Education. (2007). Online Respect. Retrieved from: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/pdfs/OnLineRespect.pdf
OPHEA. (2015). Ontario Ministry of Education Policies. Retrieved from: http://www.reallifeonline.ca/Teacher-Resources/Ministry-of-Education-Policies.aspx
Peel District School Board. (2015). Safe School Resources. Retrieved from: http://www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/resouces/Pages/default.aspx