Journal 8: POINT/COUNTERPOINT: SHOULD SCHOOLS BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CYBERBULLYING?

NETS-T 4

Bogacz, Gordillo , R., 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/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx

This article offers the point of view from two different authors. Renee Bogacz claims that yes, schools should be held responsible for cyberbullying.  On the other hand, Miguel Gómez Gordillo argues that no, schools should not be held responsible for cyberbullying.  To begin with I will discuss the arguement made by Bogacz, that yes schools should be held accountable.

Technology has created many ways for children to threaten and harass each other. Even though this bullying may occur off the school grounds, Bogacz argues that it still affects the school environment. Bogacz claims that there is a community of people that should be responsible for cyberbullying. This includes teachers, administrators, parents and students. Each participate must play their part to succeed in the education and eradication of cyberbullying.  

Teachers must educate themselves about cyberbullying.  They should know the rules and laws against it as well as the resources for the victims. They should address cyberbullying in their classroom and not be afraid to document cases. They should listen to the victims and not dismiss the occurrence as basic child behavior.

School administrators must adhere to the same obligations as the teachers. However, in addition they must establish clear and concise consequences for perpetrators. They must also contact law enforcement when necessary.

Parents must always stay involved in what their children are doing online and on their cellphones. They should friend their children on their online networks and have passwords to their emails, chats, etc. Parents should consistently check their children’s computer history and confront any issues of bullying. Bogacz urges that parents should not be passive because in the past students have taken their own lives because of cyberbullying.

Finally, students themselves are large part of this community. They should stand up for what is right and assist victims when they see cyberbulllying. If they are victims to cyberbullying they should not be expected just to deal with it. They should talk to someone and receive counseling.

Miguel Gomez Gordillo argues that is not responsibility of the school to deal with cyberbullying.  He states that schools cannot be held responsible for issues of behavior that are not within or did not begin in the classroom.  Rather, Gordillo puts the blame on society for not supporting family as an institution. He claims that bullying results because of the weakening of the family.

His response to bullying is love. He claims that children that have received love from the beginning have an automatic vaccine against bullying. Bullying by children is a consequence of the lack of love and support at home. He questions how children can receive love if the parents are gone all day or the kids come from a broken home.

Gordillo insists that the parents are the primary educators of their children. The schools can assist parents by establishing close relationships with them and providing supportive parental resources.  He states that the ways schools can help with cyberbullying by helping parents to recover and establish their roles as the primary educators.

Q1- what would you do as an educator if you found out a student was being cyberbullied by your other students?

First of all, I would make it a point to educate my students from the beginning on cyberbullying. I would create weekly lessons that address this issue and incorporate ways for students to participate in the research and education themselves. 

If the issue came up and cyberbullying was evident then I realize it would be a touchy situation. My first instinct would be to address the situation right away to the entire class, but I would need to speak to the victim. Unfortunately, the victim may feel incredible shame about the situation and bringing it up to the entire class could embarrass them further and make the situation worse.

However, the bullies will be addressed and reprimanded for their actions. I would involve the administrators and parents and punish the students accordingly. I would again in the classroom stress the devastation of cyberbullying and continue to educate my students about it. I would then make sure that the victim received counseling for the bullying.

Q2- Do you believe the argument of Miguel Gómez Gordillo that love from parents is a vaccine against cyberbullying? Why or why not?

While there is a just a fleck of truth to this statement, overall I do not agree with it. It is not a vaccine against cyberbullying.  Whether or not a student is loved it does not keep them from having their feelings hurt and from being the victims of bullying. I believe Gordillo was arguing that love can extinguish the acts of the bully, but again I do not believe this to be necessarily true in all cases. Students can possess many behavioral problems that are beyond the nurturing aspect of their parents.

Also, students may receive plenty of love at home, but they do not feel accepted at school. I am not an expert on bullies, however I feel this is way too broad a statement to make about why bullying exists. I am frankly terrified for my daughter to go to school because I remember how cruel kids can be. I was kicked out of a group of girlfriends many times. One time I couldn’t describe the perfect outfit and another time I wasn’t popular enough! And these were girls that seemed to be very loved at home, but kids can always be cruel.