- 21 June 2024
- 6 min read
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Often the burden to prevent cyberbullying falls on teachers, so how can schools work to create a safe environment, with healthy student relationships?
Learning about the signs and effects of cyberbullying is the first place to start. With students glued to their phones, online abuse is constant. It doesn’t stop when school finishes, or when a child is at home, and with many students feeling adults just won’t understand what they are experiencing, it is often hidden.
Cyberbullying shares some signs of traditional bullying: isolated, withdrawn children with reduced participation and confidence in the classroom. If a pupil is experiencing online abuse, you may see:
You can find out more about the different types of cyberbullying here. A content monitoring tool could also be a great way to help flag whether a student has undertaken any concerning online activity to suggest that they are being cyberbullied.
If it isn’t already, Cyberbullying should be included in your anti-bullying policy. Students will know clearly what will happen if the rules are broken. This not only helps deter cyberbullying, but supports current victims, showing that something will be done to stop it.
Each school will need specific measures in place based on their individual needs. To check whether your school’s current anti-bullying policy is effective – you can:
Once you’ve updated your anti-bullying policy, set up a plan of action to make improvements to ensure it is fit-for-purpose moving forward. Your policies may require changes based on the type of online bullying that’s happening.
Discussion between the victim and the bully should encourage empathy and understanding. Severe or recurring bullying should be met with a stricter approach.
Many cyberbullying victims aren’t comfortable talking to anyone about what they’re experiencing. Bullies work to isolate them from their family and peers, making it harder for them to reach out for help.
Teachers can help break this cycle by creating a class community, where each student is recognised for their strengths. Team exercises are a great way to foster friendship between different groups – try creating tasks that need a range of different skills so each student can shine:
The key point is that each pupil feels appreciated and important. This can be tough in a class of 30 students, which is why group and team based activities are ideal.
Once a healthy environment has been established, an open dialogue can begin:
Take a look at our article all about how to encourage conversation about online safety with your students.
Cybersmile has some fantastic resources, including learning programmes for different age groups and a toolkit for students wanting to help prevent cyberbullying.
Sometimes cyberbullying can be dealt with internally, between the victim and the bully, discussing and understanding the impact of their actions. If this doesn’t solve the issue, you may need to involve people from outside the school:
The best way to prevent cyberbullying is by staying connected. Talking to teachers, students and parents helps keep lines of communication open, so instances of online bullying can be reported quickly and dealt with efficiently. Try using the resources below to raise awareness in your school.
Cybersmile Education Programme – a series of modules covering the different aspects of cyberbullying and its effects
The Changemaker Toolkit – A document helping teenagers prevent cyberbullying in an active way online
Cybersmile Education Resources – Links learning programmes for different age ranges
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