Bullying

[royhobie]

Do you think that bullying, to include cyber bullying is an issue in our schools? Are you aware of a growing amount of children who have been victims of bullying and cyber bullying nation wide? Do you believe that although bullying and cyber bullying occurs in other parts in the nation, it would never occur here? To greatly reduce cyber bullying which has been conclusively linked to the death of their victims, would you be in favor of banning cell phones from our schools to protect children from this danger?

[jules12]

Really not trying to be rude but what does cell phones in school have to do with either bullying or cyber bullying? Kids (although we know they do) arent even supposed to have their cell phones on during class time. What problem would this solve? And my next question is should computers be banned too? I know the schools block social networking sites but the kids find ways around this. I am aware of how bad each are and not just nationally, locally too. So these are just some questions as to what your getting at. Again not being rude or mean although it may sound that way, so sorry in advance if it does

[twinoaks207 (Premo)]

Part of the problem is that we are not teaching appropriate use of new media. It is difficult to show students how to appropriately use social media when it is banned in schools. Banning something only causes the children to want to do it more and they are doing it without benefit of instruction on how to do it properly. How do they know how to set up privacy options, how to make decisions about "friending" people, about what constitutes an appropriate post and what is definitely TMI? I'm sorry but I don't happen to believe that most parents are teaching the kids this at home. Note that I said "most". There are some who know all about this social networking thing and how it works and who routinely sit down with their kids and discuss topics like this. Unfortunately, there are many more who are not and the kids are fumbling through on their own.

Banning things is not the answer! Intelligent discussion, parental support/supervision, and proper education go a long way!

[TurboK9]

Originally Posted by royhobie

Do you think that bullying, to include cyber bullying is an issue in our schools? Are you aware of a growing amount of children who have been victims of bullying and cyber bullying nation wide? Do you believe that although bullying and cyber bullying occurs in other parts in the nation, it would never occur here? To greatly reduce cyber bullying which has been conclusively linked to the death of their victims, would you be in favor of banning cell phones from our schools to protect children from this danger?

I'm in favor of punching bullies in the nose

Of course these days when a kid knocks ya down and steals your lunch money you have to be a snitch, which most kids don't want to be. You can't stand up for yourself or others without risking suspension / expulsion. Ridiculous... And we wonder why bullying is becoming prevalent again. We render our children defenseless then wonder why they get victimized.

[Severa]

Found this on the St Mary's Public Schools website:

F.O.C.U.S on Cyber Use and Safety Communication Presentation (PDF file)

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, 6:00 p.m., in the media center of Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, the Benjamin Banneker Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and St. Mary’s County Public Schools will host a Focus On Cyber Use and Safety (F.O.C.U.S) Community Presentation for interested parents and community members. The presentation will provide community-based education on cyber safety and cyber bullying, and will reinforce the importance of St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ F.O.C.U.S. initiative.

May 24 through May 28, 2010, has been declared Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week in Maryland by the First Lady of Maryland, Katie O’ Malley, and the State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Nancy Grasmick.

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I work as a substitute teacher at Esperanza Middle School. They made the announcement about next week's Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week just a few days ago. They plan on talking with students all week about it. Given some of the things I've seen in just the few weeks that I've been substitute teaching, I think it's a great idea. I myself have not seen much in the way of cyber bullying at school (they've got the networks locked down pretty tight and if a kid does manage to get around the filters to something inappropriate, punishment is handed out swiftly) but I myself have witnessed a few cases of bullying where I've had to intervene.

I'm sure there's probably still cyber bullying at school even if I don't see it. Just because they're not SUPPOSED to have cell phones on during class doesn't mean that kids aren't still sneaking a few text messages back and forth or posting things on Facebook/Myspace. Of course there's still bullying, it's been that way even when I was in school, we just didn't have Internet and cell phones to make things instant. Is it still an issue? I would say yes. And I would believe it's growing because there are more avenues to bullying thanks to cell phones and the Internet.

We have two sons, ages 10 and 13. We have two desktop computers in our living room plus a netbook, we always monitor what they're doing online, and neither child has anything as far as Facebook or Myspace. We've talked with both kids about what is appropriate and inappropriate and not to give out personal information. Twinoaks, you are right, it is unfortunate that not all parents are as proactive about being involved in their childrens' lives and teaching them the right way to act on the Internet.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by twinoaks207

Part of the problem is that we are not teaching appropriate use of new media. It is difficult to show students how to appropriately use social media when it is banned in schools. Banning something only causes the children to want to do it more and they are doing it without benefit of instruction on how to do it properly. How do they know how to set up privacy options, how to make decisions about "friending" people, about what constitutes an appropriate post and what is definitely TMI? I'm sorry but I don't happen to believe that most parents are teaching the kids this at home. Note that I said "most". There are some who know all about this social networking thing and how it works and who routinely sit down with their kids and discuss topics like this. Unfortunately, there are many more who are not and the kids are fumbling through on their own.

Banning things is not the answer! Intelligent discussion, parental support/supervision, and proper education go a long way!

I don't see what the point of teaching children appropriate use of social media stuff at school. If the sites were educational, then maybe, but the sites have nothing to do with the kids' education. I think those sites should be banned from school, and any kid caught on them while at school should be punished.

It's up to the *parents* to teach responsible use of the internet and social networking sites. It's not the school's job.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by royhobie

To greatly reduce cyber bullying which has been conclusively linked to the death of their victims, would you be in favor of banning cell phones from our schools to protect children from this danger?

No.
Nope.
Hell no.

The answer isn't in banning cell phone usage during school hours. That would accomplish absolutely nothing considering the internet and cellphones will remain full speed ahead for the remaining 18 hours of the day and 24 hours per day Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

I'm getting sick and tired of people lobbying to throw new rules and laws about as if that will fix things. There are already rules and laws in place that allow authorities to protect our children. They just need to start enforcing them. Push for that, people...push for that.

[Baja28 (Premo)]

You know we all grew up just fine without cell phones in school! I see absolutely no reason a middle schooler needs a cell phone plain and simple.

High school, maybe since they can drive.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by Baja28

You know we all grew up just fine without cell phones in school! I see absolutely no reason a middle schooler needs a cell phone plain and simple.

High school, maybe since they can drive.

You are missing the point. Banning cell phones from school property is not going to do a thing against bullying of any kind. Bullies are going to bully whenever, however, doing whatever they continue to get away with... It is no different from "banning guns" and ending up with the law/rule abidding citizens being the only ones unarmed. The teen trapped in a precarious position WITHOUT his/her cell phone is going to be the one affected by a total ban. Period.

[royhobie]

Interesting comments from everybody. Thank you for all of your responses. Cyber bullying, which is the use of cell phones or electronic media is a growing problem nation wide. Our local counties are not an exception. Hopefully folks are aware that there are cases of cell phones being used to plan, organize and commit cyber attacks on children. This is one form of cyber bullying.