Bullies in Cyberspace
A new kind of bully operates 24/7
Our students are growing up in a time of unprecedented exposure. They are privy to many of the tools and the worries previously reserved for adults. A new child has emerged-one with access to our quickly evolving and sophisticated world but with the maturity and decision-making skills consistent with their age. As every educator knows, without vigilant oversight, our children easily drift away.
Every educator also knows that in every school community there are tough guys and bullies'those children, who, for whatever reason, take The cyberbully uses the internet or cell phone to taunt, harass, insult, threaten or intimidate a peer. Using instant or text messaging, emails, digital images and webpages, the cyberbully's assault can vary from cruel jokes to racial, religious, or cultural slurs, to embarrassing photographs. their frustrations out on their peers. The newest version of the schoolhouse bully, one which takes advantage of sophisticated technology and distracted adults, is the cyberbully.
The cyberbully uses the internet or cell phone to taunt, harass, insult, threaten or intimidate a peer. Using instant or text messaging, emails, digital images and webpages, the cyberbully's assault can vary from cruel jokes to racial, religious, or cultural slurs, to embarrassing photographs.
Scary because they can be anonymous and powerful because they can reach so many other kids, the cyberbully causes unspeakable damage to their subject with the simple stroke of a keyboard.
For the victim of the cyberbully, there is no relief after school. The cyberbully is there on the computer screen or cell phone 24/7. For the victim being cyberbullied, it is a particularly lonely encounter, but one that inevitably reaches the schoolhouse.
Sheila Heatley, a guidance counselor at Piccowaxen Middle School in Charles County and a member of the Education Association of Charles County, said that while the cyberbully works in cyberspace outside the school walls the school almost always gets involved. Generally, this type of bullying doesn't stop at the computer. It erodes into something bigger, Heatley said. Usually an altercation or argument will erupt or a group isolates someone because of it. A victim will finally come in and say, I've had all I can take.'"
The cyberbully
The cyberbully's anonymity allows a whole new persona to emerge. They may be bored, they may be a victim at home or school themselves Cheered on by an admiring audience, the girl cyberbully assaults the easiest target to get the biggest bang. Like the traditional bully, only when admiring followers get tired of the routine does she back off. or they may be jealous. The bottom line is that online, they can be anyone or anything they want.
Sometimes a bully is playing cop retaliating against another for something the bully perceives as an offense against a friend or in response to an action the victim took.
There may be a power struggle within a group or class and degrading someone may look like a way to regain position. Some tough-guy cyberbullies just want to show off. Power-tripping over the internet provides a big audience. Kids who are bullied at school may find the internet a safe place to find revenge. Requiring no actual confrontation, the bully can act out, and relieve the frustration of constantly being on the receiving end.
Bored girls with computers
These bullies get special mention because the power of girl cliques makes it difficult for all but the most popular girls to get through middle and high school unscathed. Cheered on by an admiring audience, the cyberbully assaults the easiest target to get the biggest bang. Only when admiring followers get tired of the routine does the leader back off.
Cyberbullying is much more prevalent with girls, definitely. There is a lot of including and excluding among middle school girls, Heatley said. They jockey for position and popularity constantly, and online they can communicate en masse and determine who's in and who's out.” Much more efficient than the telephone, instant messaging buddy lists can broadcast a new pecking order in … well, an instant.
How the cyberbully works
According to WiredKids, a website focused on children's internet safety, cyberbullying is limited only by the bully's imagination and technological skill. The most common ways to bully online include:
These can be insults or threats mailed directly to the victim or hateful comments mailed out to a listserv or buddy list.
Online diaries can be fun and creative, but in the wrong hands they can damage reputations and cause great harm.
Using another's password, a bully can pretend to be the victim and offend and anger the victim's online friends. Using the password, the bully can change the profile information of the victim.
Kids can create websites or webpages specifically to harass or cause embarrassment to their victim. When bullies post personal information, the potential danger to the victim is compounded.
There are many stories of embarrassing photos and videos being sent through the internet. With new cellphone cameras, the opportunity skyrockets.
Popularity contests, always a disaster, can become broadcast schoolwide in minutes.
Abusive, aggressive and unpleasant remarks purposely fuel heated discussion or debate.
Setting a standard
Peer-acceptance plays a crucial role in the pre-teen and teen years. I never thought I'd say this, Heatley reports, but in cases of bullying, kids have a lot of power in terms of setting the standard. We try to sell the idea that they can identify cyberbullying or any other type of behavior as being unacceptable. When the behavior becomes unacceptable to the group, the bully naturally steps back.
Heatley's central office provided her with a survey to get the students' perspectives on bullying and harassment at Piccowaxen.
While laying the groundwork for the survey, Heatley learned there were some behaviors that just weren't thought of as bullying. Cyberbullying was one of them.
With Heatley's explanation, the kids quickly recognized the cyberbully as the age-old bully with a slick new wi-fi makeover.
