Cyberbullying

This image shows someone on a computer
educating themselves on cyberbullying. 

Cyberbullying in the United States has, in my opinion, been a riding issue for the last 15 years or so. Cyberbullying can be hard to define, but it is known as the intended harm caused by people through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. This is a deliberate, not accidental, behavior, as well as it reflects a pattern instead of just one isolated event. Computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices is what differentiates cyberbullying from just normal bullying. Cyberbullying is something that needs to be talked about greatly, because it is something that the perpetuator and the victim usually only see, whereas with regular bullying face to face, you can have witnesses and more people to stick up for you. It is extremely important to specifically talk about inside of schools though, because teachers are extremely influential in children's lives. I know personally for me, I am going to teach 5-8 year olds, and their minds are like sponges. We can be the source to help students prevent any kind of bullying by talking about it, creating a safe space in schools and inside classrooms, as well as creating strategies for students to use in case they find themselves in an encounter with someone cyberbullying them. I want to instill safe and respectful behavior in my students as early on as possible. As a teacher, I have the power to help and prevent cyberbullying inside my classroom. 

I have been lucky enough to never have experienced cyberbullying personally, but you see it everywhere on social media. It truly is hard to avoid. Whether it happens to celebrities, or everyday people like me and you, there isn't an excuse for it. Cyberbullying can effect students' physical and emotional well-being and safety, but it can also impact their academic success at school. In a survey done by the National Center for Education Statistics, showed that in 2019, 16% of students in grades 9-12 reported being bullied online in the last 12 months. Although this survey was done for high school, in Elementary school the bullying can be just as persistent. They may not be as "tech savvy", and the bullying can be caught under the rug. It is not excusable though, and schools should implement policies to help prevent cyberbullying such as pushing and promoting a positive school climate, monitor at-risk behaviors, and provide interventions for not only the victims, but for the bully as well. A lot of the times someone who feels the need to bully has it come from a deeper place, and need healing to prevent this behavior in the future. Teachers should be trained on what cyberbullying is, what it looks like, and how to respond to it in order to create a safe and fun learning environment for everyone.