Journal # 8 (NETS IV & V)

Point/counterpoint: Should Schools be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying?


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

The author of the "no" article is nuts. His belief of deteriorating nuclear family being the cause of and solution to bullying is crazy. For starters, bullying has existed as long as children have. To blame the current tide of family structure is a cop out. Secondly the idea that a poorly functioning family is the one to take care of the problem of bullying does not make sense. It is as if we should no longer ask police to arrest criminals, we should instead leave it up to criminals to report their own crimes, and handle their own punishment. The fact of the matter is many families don't look at bullying the same way schools do. Many people think bullying is a natural part of schooling, and therefore do very little to monitor it themselves. The fact is that bullying is a part of school which is exactly why it is the responsibility of the school to monitor, address, and deter bullying as much as possible.
As for the "yes" article, i think the author has the right idea. It would be nice if parents were able to monitor their children's internet usage, but the truth is most can't or don't. This is why teachers need to be vigilant about addressing all forms of bullying wherever or whenever it occurs. The most important job of the teacher is to create a tolerant, safe, setting to facilitate unfettered learning.


Question 1. What can you do in your class to combat cyber-bullying?

Answer 1. I will create a safe environment that children will be able to report bullying. I would like to have some sort of anonymous means of reporting for students who fear reprisal. Also it is important to be blunt about the repercussions, and let students know that words can kill.

Question 2. What roll does the students family play in bullying situations?

Answer 2. The fact is teachers have no control over what happens at home. All we can do is inform parents and request cooperation, but the duty to insure the safety of the students is on the teacher. It is ludicrous to right off bullies as the second author does, saying " it's their parents duty, nothing I can do".