can i really get in trouble for that post? youth, bullying, and technology jenn capps, phd, lpc...
TRANSCRIPT
Can I really get in trouble for that post?Youth, Bullying, and Technology
Jenn Capps, PhD, LPCDenise Mowder, JD, PhD
What You Will Leave Here Today…
• An understanding of cyberbullying & the interaction with traditional bullying
• An ability to identify both victims & offenders• An understanding of the Colorado legislation and
criminal statutes• A feel for the best practices used around the
country• A knowledge of the school safety plans concerning
bullying/cyberbullyingin the Denver metro area• A handful recommendations
What is Cyberbullying• Willful and repeated harm
inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices (Hinduja & Patchin 2009)
• Compared to traditional bullying, cyberbullying is not restrained by space or time.
• Boys do more traditional physical bullying than girls
• Girls do more indirect verbal bullying than boys
• Not to be confused with peer conflict like arguing, ignoring, roughhousing and fighting are not necessarily instances of bullying.
• Nationally:– Traditional: 19.9– Cyberbullying: 25.2%
• Colorado:– Cyberbullying: 20%
Who are the victims and offenders
• Girls are just as likely, if not more likely, than boys to be victims and offenders (Floros et al., 2013)
• Offenders who reported earning mostly A’s were just as likely to be offenders as those students who reported they earned C’s & D’s.
• Cyberbullying is related to low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, anger, frustration and other psychological problems (Brighi et al., 20912)
• Nationally:– Traditional bullying victims were 1.7 times more likely to
have attempted suicide– Cyberbullying victims were 1.9 times more likely to have
attempted suicide
Who are the victims and offenders
• Those who are traditionally bullied are also bullied online and visa versa. • Canadian study showed 1/3 were victims of both
traditional and cyber (Kowalski & Limber, 2013)
• Many bullies reported they were also victims at some point
• Cyberbullying is related to other issues like problems in school, anti-social behavior, substance use and delinquency (Kowalski & Limber, 2013).
Colorado’s Legislative Rules and Regulations
• “Colorado was less explicit in communicating legal expectations and avoided concrete prohibiting statements.” (U.S. Department of Education, 2011)
Colorado’s Legislative Rules and Regulations
• Colorado Legislative Intent:– “The general assembly therefore finds that a policy to create an environment
free of bullying shall be part of each school district's safe school plan.”
• CRS 22-32-109.1(a)– Defined Bullying
• “Bullying” means any written or verbal expression, or physical or electronic or gesture, or pattern thereof, that is intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental , or emotional harm to any student.
– Required additions to school safety plan concerning bullying.• Create a specific policy concerning bullying prevention and
education.• Survey of students• Create team to advise schools• Policy should include disciplinary consequences
Colorado’s Legislative Rules and Regulations
• CRS 24-33.5 – Gave duties of SRO’s
• CRS 22-32-144 (2)(a) – Use of restorative justice as a school’s first consideration
to remediate offenses such as interpersonal conflicts, bullying, verbal and conflicts . . . harassment and internet harassment. . .
• CRS 22-93-104 School Bullying Prevention: – Grants for policy making within school districts– Grants for preventative education that is evidence based
Denver Metro Area School Policies
Best Policies concerning Bullying/Cyberbullying:• Aurora Public Schools• Jefferson County Public Schools
Colorado’s Criminal Statues
• Colorado has no official anti bullying law. – Colorado State Lawmakers chose instead to rely
on their legislative intent to the school districts. • Harassment CRS 18-9-111– Intent + harass + physical contact
Best practices for prevention and intervention
• Comprehensive and collaborative efforts among all youth advocates. • Must include all stake holders: teachers, educational
leaders, community leaders, legislators, parents and students.
What can School Districts Do
• Create a clear and comprehensive policy regarding bullying and its intersection with cyberbullying.
• Create cyberbullying prevention programs and program assessment.
What can school Administrators do
• Implement detailed anti bullying policies and disciplinary actions
• Integrate lessons on cyberbullying into the school curriculum
• Encourage school counselors and teachers to collaborate classroom sessions on appropriate internet use
• Establish a school wide cyberbullying task force to develop and implement anti cyberbullying programs
• Build a relationship with the local police department to speak to parents and student on appropriate internet use.
• Create a school climate where students feel safe to report
What School Counselors can do
• Facilitating the development of effective school policies• Educating parents
– About their legal responsibility for what their child is doing while online
– giving parents signs to look for when recognizing cyberbullying behaviors
– encourage parents to educate their child on how it feels to be cyberbullied as what to do if they are bullied
• Educating students• Developing peer helper programs• Providing responsive services such as reporting and
counseling opportunities
Recommendations
• Recognition of adolescent development• Youth require significantly different
interventions than adults• Tiered system of response to cyberbullying
including:– Assessment– Accountability– Education