Should School Punish Cyberbullies?

[sarahlink38]

We understand that the moment we send our kids to school is the moment that our child may become subject to influences (both good and bad) that are beyond our control. The online world can be even more frightening than we thought it was -- do you know who our daughter is talking to online? Do you know what kind of language our son is? Our hearts and mind go out to the children and parents like us dealing with cyberbullying. There's nothing more painful than seeing our child get hurt. But what do you think -- is it the school administrator's responsibility to punish bullies, even when their activities have not taken place on campus? Or should children's rights to free speech be protected, even when that speech does emotional harm to another student?

[Mp_GoGoStat Parental Guidance]

This is a tough question. Schools will most likely not like the idea of them being responsible for out-of-school bullying, since many schools have a hard enough time with bullying inside school. The best thing parents can do for their child is talk to them about cyberbullying. This includes what the effects are on others to dissuade them from being the bully, and what to do if they are cyberbullied, so the situation does not get too out of hand.
Knowledge and open communication can do wonders.

[cay8099]

If the bully is not using school computers for their dirty work then no it is not the schools job to punish the child. That's what parents are for. If you know the bully call his/her prents, and then takes measures to block that bully from your computer. There really no good way to deal with a cyberbully. The computer gives them a feeling of anonamity that frees them to act in ways they normally wouldn't. We have much experience with trolls(and what is a troll if not a cyberbully) here, and no matter what you say to them they just keep coming back for more. Blocking them in anyway you can is really the only way to deal over the internet. Unless of course you know the bully IRL then the parents can be called.

[sarahlink38]

@Mp_GoGoStat Parental Guidance: Yes I agree, what do you think of a conference held in school? Will that help? Atleast teachers will know what are their rights when they caught one. Does all school uses monitoring control software to block inappropriate activities?

[sarahlink38]

@cay8099: Yes, that's the problem with anonimity, most of social networking sites do not have policies about this. Anyone can create profile using false identities. Have your child or do you know anyone that had been cyberbullied?

[cay8099]

My children are too young to have been cyberbullied. When I mentioned experience I meant here on this site. Someone used fake profiles to cause all sorts of problems. I only just now started coming back here.

[sarahlink38]

@cay8099: Guess not only kids have been experiencing cyberbullying.

[sarahlink38]

Do you think schools should install hall monitors on hallways of the school and on places where there are access of an internet?

[Prica]

Schools should not discipline any child for actions that do not take place within there grounds or on the buses. Now this doesn't mean that you shouldn't be able to go to the school and say, 'this 'child' has been bullying my daughter and her friends on line, would you please inform the child's parents of what is going on. If they don't believe give them my number and I'll give them proof.'
The schools should be able to notify the parents of the bullying even mediate if necessary, but shouldn't take action by disciplining them unless it is taking place on school computers, or on phones during school hours on school property, when phones aren't allowed anyway.
Anyway, schools should not be held responsible for actions taken off school property. That is the responsibility of the parents or guardians of the child.

[ajbrownies]

I personally don't think it's a matter of free speech. I think there needs to be a crack down on all forms of bullying. Sometimes the only break a kid gets is when he's away from school.
That being said the first line of defense should be the parents. I think many parents may not realize what their kid is doing online. They should be held responsible for their children at least to a certain extent.
If the bullying occurred on school computers or school grounds than the school has the responsibility to take care of the problem. It's amazing that we live in an age when technology can be such a big help but cause so many problems too.