6 Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a topic area that is very relevant at Key Stage 3. By this age, many children use social networking websites and instant messaging. Many children will also own hand held devices such as smart phones and gaming devices. Children at this age may engage in online gaming where online communication is synchronous.

Many children are not aware of how their actions can affect others, and in the majority of cyberbullying cases, the perpetrators mean no malice and claim to be ‘just having a laugh’. There are, however, isolated circumstances when children will engage in targeted and conscious cyberbullying with specific motives and agendas.

Use these resources to gain a better overview of cyberbullying:

Reflection

How could you introduce an anti-bullying theme into your classroom in relation to cyberbullying?

Do you know what to do if a child comes to you with a cyberbullying problem and do you know how to escalate a cyberbullying issue if required to?

With reference to Section 5 regarding AUPs, do you know what the sanctions are or should be?

5 Acceptable use policies (AUPs)

7 Digital footprints