Cyberbullying poses a widespread issue among US students. It has become a serious problem in both schools and society at large, as it has the capacity to significantly disturb one’s emotions, which can lead to tragic consequences. However, teachers can prevent it and negate its consequences, as there are clear guidelines for doing so, according to the First Amendment.
Definition and Circumstances
Firstly, it is essential to define what cyberbullying is and where it typically occurs. Bullying or harassment that is carried out online is referred to as cyberbullying or cyber-harassment (Hudson, n.d.). There are various ways that a child can be involved in cyberbullying. A youngster may bully others, bully themselves, or watch bullying.
Parents, teachers, and other adults may be unaware of every social networking site and program that a youngster utilizes. A child has a greater chance of being exposed to possible cyberbullying the more digital platforms they use (“Tips for Teachers”, 2021). Hence, cyberbullying occurs on online platforms, and the chance of exposure rises with the number of platforms that a child is using.
Signs
There are several warning signs for children who are being cyberbullied that teachers should be aware of. Many of the telltale indications of cyberbullying revolve around a child’s device usage (“Tips for Teachers”, 2021). When a youngster exhibits sudden changes in their digital and social behavior, it’s crucial to pay attention. For example, it can manifest itself in a rapid increase or decrease in device use by a child.
Alternatively, a child can react emotionally to what is happening on their device, exhibiting signs of rage and upset. Additionally, when others are nearby, a child may cover their screen or gadget and avoid talking about what they are doing on it (“Tips for Teachers”, 2021). Hence, there are noticeable signs that can help teachers identify a child who is being cyberbullied.
Countermeasures
Thus, having noticed the signs of cyberbullying, a teacher needs to take action to stop it. In an ethical course of action, a teacher will first need to speak privately with a student who is being cyberbullied and ask them about it. This is crucial, as students may have proof of harassment on their digital devices (“Tips for Teachers”, 2021).
Next, it is essential to speak with the student’s parents or guardians, acting as a mediator between the child, the parent, and the school. After that, it is necessary to create activities that promote self-reflection, requesting that kids name and express their thoughts and feelings, as well as take into account the views and feelings of others. This is done to encourage children to develop their emotional intelligence, enabling them to gain self-awareness, self-control, and empathy for others. Hence, cyberbullying can be prevented by teachers through effective communication with students and parents.
Legal Consequences
However, there are several First Amendment issues that the bullied student can raise due to this decision. The student may argue that the decision is too lenient, as the cyberbully is not suspended or punished in any form, and the victim may have experienced emotional distress as a result of their conduct. The reason for that decision lies in the First Amendment. Because laws frequently punish speech and because the language in some laws and regulations may be imprecise, cyberbullying raises First Amendment concerns (Hudson, n.d.).
Currently, US law does not allow teachers to intervene in cases of cyberbullying, as students cannot be punished solely for off-campus speech on online platforms by teachers and school administrators. According to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing school officials to enter a child’s home and regulate their behavior there, as they would in school-sponsored events, would set a hazardous precedent (Hudson, n.d.). Hence, while a student can raise First Amendment arguments in support of punishing the cyberbully, the teacher will respond that they lack the legal authority to do so.
Conclusion
Thus, cyberbullying is a complex issue, the response to which is currently underdeveloped in the legal field. It can occur on any online platform that a child is using, and its effects can be observed in the child’s change in digital device usage. However, a teacher can take action against it in the form of communication with parents and students, both bullies and their victims. However, currently, a teacher cannot suspend a cyberbully due to legal constraints. Thus, while direct action is impossible, teachers can and must work to create a healthy and respectful atmosphere in the classroom.
References
Hudson, D. L. (n.d.). Cyberbullying. The First Amendment Encyclopedia.
Tips for Teachers. (2021). Stopbullying.gov.