Responding to Cyber Bullying

By now, people should be able to agree that cyber bullying is becoming a larger issue each passing day. According to Cyber bullying/Bullying Statistics from Statistic Brain, as of 2017, roughly 50% of students have reported to have been a victim of cyber bullying, while over 30% of students have experienced a cyber threat online. Though more women report being victims of cyber bullying than males, the percentage between men and women is dramatically closing. Shockingly, over 50% of students who have been cyber bullied do not tell a parent of guardian when an act of cyber bullying occurs.

These numbers as described above are shocking. Clearly, something must be done to ensure that students to not fall victim to cyber bullying and cyber attacks. But, since many students are not vocal when these attacks occur, what all can we do?

Luckily, many responses to cyber bullying have already begun to be discussed. If a student is not outright vocal when experiencing an cyber bullying attack, teachers, administrators, parents, school staff, and even other students can be made aware of things that can be done to soften the blow that the student may have experienced. In the article, Dealing with Cyberbullying in Schools, some suggestions are made to help a student who may have been a victim. Some important suggestions are briefly stated below:

• Support and reassure the student that there is support available should they need it. There is nothing wrong with informing an adult of a cyber bullying attack.
• Save evidence of cyber bullying attacks such as screenshots of messages.
• Encourage the student to not respond to the attack virtually nor in person.
• Teach students the practice of keeping personal information private.

A student who has experienced cyber bullying may be withdrawn from class and day-to-day activities. By knowing a student individually, should any concerning behaviors begin to form, teachers and school personnel should be prepared to intervene. By being aware, supportive, and ready to help, this could make all the difference to our students.