Journal 8: "Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying?" (NETS 4)

Bogacz , R., & Gordillo, M. (2011). Point/counterpoint: should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying?. Learning and Leading, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2011.aspx

This article takes a look at who is to hold the responsibility and correct cyberbullying. The author first examines how the school holds the responsibility. The argument here is that even though cyberbullying may take place outside of the school, it still effects the school environment. Therefore, the schools need to manage the problem. Teachers need to be educated on what cyberbulling is and the consequences it cab have. They also need to not turn a blind eye on the situation and brush it off as something teens "just go through". When a student brings it to the teacher's attention that this is going on, the teacher needs to be able to report the situation and take it seriously. The administrators of schools need to establish and have in place serious consequences for students who violate the rules and stick firm to following through. Students of schools who are victims of cyberbullying and those who are witnesses need to understand the seriousness of the matter and not be afraid to report the situation to teachers or administrators.
                 On the other hand, the article examines the parental responsibility. The argument here is that education comes from the family first. Schools can only do so much to tackle the issue of cyberbulling, but the parents are who have the main control. Parents should have complete transparency when it comes to their child's Internet and phone usage. Parents have the ability to monitor their child completely on the Internet. If this issue is taken seriously at home, parents have control to put a stop to it at the source.
Overall, this article brings up a great point that it is simply not one individual or institution that is responsible to put a stop to cyberbullying, but it is a collaborative effort by students, teachers, administrators and parents that will decrease the instances of cyberbulling and start a movement towards tolerance and respect amongst today's youth.

Question 1: Is it possible cyberbulling can take place on school grounds and if so how can this be prevented?

Yes. With technology increasing in schools today, more and more students have access to computers on campus. With this access comes the possibility of cyberbulling. To prevent cyberbulling from happening on school grounds, students need to be properly monitored during their time spent on the computer. Schools can also restrict the Internet access students have by blocking certain sites.

Question 2: Does the article discuss the deeper reasons for why children choose to take part in cyberbulling and how that can be addressed?

Yes. The article discusses that one issue that causes cyberbullying to happen is a lack of love. The dynamics of families in our society is changing, and not necessarily for the better. Many children come from broken homes or parents who both work which causes lack of attention they need. Lack of love and attention from the parents can be a deeper reason children decide to take part in cyberbullying. To prevent this from happening parents can be educated of the importance of giving there child love and support and schools can be there for support.