The term cyber-bully refers to the use of digital tools, such as email or instant messaging, to send or post text or images that have the effect of intimidating, frightening, or embarrassing another person. Major findings from the Student Reports of Bullying and Cyber-Bullying: Results From the 2009 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey show that about 6 percent of students ages 12 through 18 reported they were cyber-bullied (anywhere) during the 2008-09 school year. The findings also report that higher percentages of students who were cyber-bullied feared being attacked or avoided certain places within the school. More who were cyber-bullied (4%) skipped school compared to those who were not cyber-bullied (0.4%).
To help students feel safe at school, check out this helpful tool to create awareness and prevent cyber-bullying in the classroom. Learn how to create a blog of student experiences and discussions about this topic, using freely-available Web tools. A sample of the questions and comments posted on the blog include exploring what is meant by cyber-bullying, whether it is possible to be a cyber-bully without being aware of it, and what steps a person should take if they are a victim of cyber-bullying.
The Student Reports of Bullying and Cyber-Bullying: Results From the 2009 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey Web Tables (NCES 2011-336) are available for download from the SSOCS & SCS table library link at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Crime and Safety Surveys portal at http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crime.
PD Tips courtesy of Atomic Learning
