Preventing cyberbullying in school

With social networking becoming increasingly omnipresent over the years, the issue of cyberbullying in school has become a growing concern. These days, young people often have accounts on all the current  social media platforms, such as Facebook, X, Instagram and threads. At such a young age, they may not realise the impact that a repeated joke or posted photo can have on the person affected, or even, that it is, in fact, cyberbullying.

As a result, students can become the victims of online bullying, which can lead to emotional and psychological distress, undoubtedly resulting in failure at school.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that occurs through online tools and platforms, including social media, messaging apps, emails and even online games. It means repeatedly using online tools to harm or upset others intentionally. 

Because of the vastness of the Internet, cyberbullying can take many forms. Knowing about them can be the key to making all the difference.

What are the different types of cyberbullying?

There are many ways to cyberbully, some of which are mentioned in the research paper “Cyberbullying” by Nocole M Aune. For students, cyberbullying in school can be translated in the following ways:

• Harassment: Sending persistent, offensive, or threatening messages to an individual.
• Exclusion: Deliberately excluding someone from online activities, groups, or conversations.
• Trolling: Posting provocative or offensive messages online to provoke emotional responses.
• Flaming: Engaging in online fights or arguments with the intent to humiliate or belittle someone.
• Threats: Making explicit or implicit threats of harm, violence, or harassment online.

Online bullying often takes place outside school hours. It does, however, have repercussions on the academic performance of students who are cyberbullied.

What are the effects of cyberbullying on students?

Cyberbullying can harm students’ school performance by causing concentration problems. It also leads to lower self-confidence, mental health issues, social isolation, fear of interaction, and, in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

This is why, in addition to raising awareness of cyberbullying in school among students as early as possible, it is important for schools to put in place strategies to support students who have been cyberbullied.

How to prevent cyberbullying in schools?

Let’s put it as it is. Unfortunately, even with all the goodwill in the world, there is no magic solution. There are, however, a few ways that you can easily incorporate to help prevent cyberbullying in school. Here are 5 ways: 

Education and Awareness 
Implement comprehensive programs that educate students, teachers, and parents about the consequences of cyberbullying. 
It’s  important that pupils understand that they are not anonymous online and that they can be identified, even when their profile is based on false information (pseudonym, false photo, false date of birth, etc.), and that their online actions can lead to legal proceedings. 
Encourage open conversations about online behaviour, responsible internet use, and the impact of cyberbullying on mental health.

Strict Anti-Cyberbullying Policies
Ensure that students, staff and parents are aware of these policies and stress the consequences for those who engage in or support cyberbullying. 
This can range from a few hours’ detention to total exclusion from the school. The aim is to make students conscious and think about their actions.

Anonymous Reporting Systems
Set up anonymous reporting systems for students to report incidents without fear of backlash. This helps quickly address cyberbullying cases by encouraging open communication. The anonymity ensures students feel safe sharing their concerns, fostering a culture of trust. 
This proactive measure creates a safer and more supportive learning environment.

Digital Citizenship Programs
Integrate digital citizenship education into the curriculum, teaching students about responsible online behaviour, empathy, and respectful communication. Equip them with the skills needed to navigate the digital world safely and ethically.
By integrating these crucial aspects into their learning journey, students not only acquire practical knowledge but also cultivate a deeper understanding of the digital realm.

Collaboration with Parents
Encourage open communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators to address and prevent cyberbullying collectively.  Parents often have insights into their child’s behaviour and can detect signs of distress or involvement in cyberbullying incidents. Open communication allows for early intervention, preventing the issue from escalating.
Collaborating with parents helps reinforce the values taught at school regarding responsible online behaviour and digital citizenship. Consistent messaging from both home and school creates a stronger impact on students.

Working with you to fight cyberbullying in schools

At The School Planner Company, we realise that putting these strategies in place can be more difficult than it seems, and that it requires constant, daily, but essential work. In order to help you as effectively as possible, it is crucial for us that the application of your anti-online bullying strategies is adapted to your school’s values.

That’s why our student planners are fully customisable, so you can tailor each page to your needs. This allows you, for example, to add pages:

• to facilitate communication between your school and parents by adding pages containing only the essentials to facilitate and encourage teamwork between parents and teachers. The main aim is to ensure that students succeed and flourish;

• where students can express their fears and emotions, which can help them to clear their minds and put into words what they don’t dare express verbally. The student planner can then play the role of a confidant to whom it is easier for them to open up;

• with ways for pupils to get help if they are victims of cyberbullying, such as the telephone number of an association, a list of people they can talk to at your school, etc…

To find out more about how our student planners can help your school prevent cyberbullying, please contact us with your questions or order your free sample pack containing our library and a student planner.