Anti Bullying

There is clear generational distinction between the Digital Natives – our teenage population who have grown up with new media and Digital Immigrants – the older generation of parents and teachers that has grown up without new media. Our young people are more in tune with, more accustomed to and indeed probably more dependent on technology. ChildWise research (Irish children aged 5-16 years) found that children spend approx. 1hr 20min a day online. 1/3 of children access the Internet from their bedroom.

While new developments have undoubtedly brought benefits to business, education and life in general, they have also brought extra pressures when mew media particularly social networking sites are abused.

The top 2 sites accessed by Irish children aged 5-16 years are Facebook and YouTube

“Cyberbullying is any behaviour performed through electronic or digital media by individuals or groups that repeatedly communicates hostile or aggressive messages intended to inflict harm or discomfort on others ” (Tokunaga, 2010)

It differs from traditional bullying and is potentially more damaging because:

• There is a larger audience.
• No time/location barriers. Bullying can now take place 24/7
• Because it is on line it reduces empathy as victims reaction often not seen

Posting information that:

• could be used to embarrass or manipulate them
• could cause psychological harm
• could be used by criminals to steal their identity or property or – though very rare – determine their physical location to cause physical harm.

Dangers associated with on-line activity include:

• Damage to reputation or future prospects because of young people’s own behaviour or that of their peers – unkind or angry posts, compromising photos or videos, or group conflict depicted in text and imagery
• Spending too much time online, losing a sense of balance in life.
• Exposure to inappropriate content – although, typically, worse content can be found out on the Web at large.
• Potential for inappropriate contact with adults (parents need to ensure that social networking does not lead to offline contact unapproved by them and other caring adults in their children’s lives)

General Advice

• Make sure your Facebook account is private –either “friends only” or customise your settings.
• Make a good strong Password and keep it private
• Your password should contain CAPITAL and lowercase letters (A b C), symbols (* & %) and numbers (3567)
• Use different passwords for each account – otherwise you risk someone getting at all your accounts if your password is compromised.
• Only accept people as “friends” if you know them in real life
• Do not post personal information like address, phone number etc.
• Do not post pictures that give away personal information
• Remember –Once you post something online it is out of your control. It can be copied, pasted, or forwarded by other people.

• Remind them it is not their fault -It’s the person doing the bullying that’s got the problem
• Don’t Reply to the sender
• Keep the Message
• Block the Sender/Remove as Friend
• Report Problems to website/mobile phone operator
• Report Serious Issues to the Gardaí

Illegal issues include someone making inappropriate sexual suggestions, racist remarks, or persistent bullying that is seriously damaging to the victim’s well-being.
Let us know in school what is happening so that we can help.

If you would like to find out more about bullying, Dr Brendan Byrnes’ Coping with Bullying Powerpoint is worthwhile reading.