Cyberbullying: A Behavior Problem You Cannot Afford to Ignore

By Tina Burkhart - April 3, 2009

Bullies and bullying have been around for a long time.  From verbal threats to written notes and “slam books,” students have found ways to threaten other students.

Cyber bullying is a complex and challenging issue, and in this article we will look at what cyber bullying is, and why students are involved in cyber bullying.

Today’s technology has given students additional opportunities to bully others, and the impact of a single act can spread quickly across Internet websites and cause ongoing problems.

Cyber bullying is an issue most school districts are already facing. According to a 2004 survey by the Internet safety non-profit group I-Safe.Org, 1,500 students between grades 4-8 reported:

1. 42% of kids have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once.
2. 35% of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five had had it happen more than once. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, cyber-bullying is "when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.”

Cyber bullying can happen at school, at home and any place in the community where access to electronic devices are available – in other words, almost anywhere in today’s society.  Cyber bullying is damaging because the information can be spread to many students, and can have strangers and others adding to the bullying.

The child may be bullied by ongoing text messages, e-mail, cell phone messages, pictures and social websites. The pervasiveness of the bullying may cause a child to avoid school, become depressed, and occasionally harm themselves or others.

Cyber bullying sometimes happen after a student has been bullied at school or by a student who has been bullied at school.  A student can be targeted by someone they know, someone they met online – or a stranger.

According to Nancy Willard, from the Center for Safe and Responsible Use of the Internet, there are three reasons a student may take part in cyber bullying where they would not bully someone in person:

1. They are invisible.  Students may believe the Internet is anonymous and they can say or do things on the Internet with no one being able to find out who did it.

2. They can’t see the victim.  They can’t see the consequences of their actions and as such can’t feel empathy for the person they are causing pain.

3. Everybody does it.  When they are online it is just a game and real world consequences can’t happen. They have free speech and can say anything they want online.

To address this issue, a school district needs to look at several areas;

1. Professional Development
2. Student Instruction
3. Safe School/District Committees
4. Acceptable Use or Internet Safety Policies
5. Parent and Community Outreach
6. Legal Issues Including District Liability

We will discuss these issues in upcoming articles on cyber bullying.

Editor's Note: Tina Burkhart is the Director of District Support Services for the educational consulting firm Total School Solutions.