http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/10/teen-arrested-for-harassing-teacher-with-cyberbullying-app-streetchat.html
I read two recent articles on cyber-bullying, both highlighting ways in which this disturbing trend is expanding. One talked about a student who is facing legal trouble after bullying a teacher over anonymous social media. The second discussed how cyber bullying is becoming more prevalent among middle school children. This terms is growing to include a larger part of the school population, now including faculty and younger students than it has before.
It is also becoming easier for students to post hurtful things to the internet because of apps that allow them to remain anonymous. Students can say what they want to hurt someone else, usually without facing the consequences, whether that be discipline by the school or backlash from offended peers.
I think one step that needs to be taken to combat this growing problem to educate students early on on what bullying is. Explain to young children what counts as bullying as well as the effects bullying can have on a person. Too often hurtful words and actions and brushed off as harmless jokes and are not identified as bullying. I think if children have a clear idea of bullying and it's effects from very early in their education, they will be less likely to act as a bully.
Schools should also take the steps that they can to monitor cyber bullying in the school. Any electronic devices that are distributed by the school should come with rules against apps that encourage cyber bullying. Personal devices should be stored or monitored, so that students are using them for school purposes and not to post harmful content.
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