Read the debate on pages 22-23 about whether schools should punish students who
cyberbully outside of school, then follow the directions below to analyze each author's claims and decide who makes a stronger case.
We found in the present study that parents' age was a determining factor in adolescents' tendency to
cyberbully.
Cyberbully, directed by Charles Binam, Common Sense Media, 2011.
"What makes a bully a
cyberbully? Unraveling the characteristics of cyberbullies across twenty-five European countries." Journal of Children and Media 7 (1): 9-27.
Seventy percent (n = 42) of cyberbullying victims named "students inside the school" as perpetrators of the aggression, indicating they had some idea of the identity of the
cyberbully. In a study by Mishna and colleagues (2010), a vast majority (89%) of the sample reported knowing the identity of the
cyberbully, often indicating a fellow student or an acquaintance from another school.
Why wouldn't they think that a technological forum might be an appropriate place to
cyberbully? It is, after all, more anonymous and insidious than "regular" bullying.
Their research found that
cyberbully victims were 2.5 times more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, had a higher instance of depression and were more than 3 times more likely to attempt suicide.
(27) The
cyberbully is able to use these forums to harass his or her victims.
Anyone can be a
cyberbully, and such persons usually do not worry about having face-to-face confrontation with their victims.
I promise to be aware of what I say and do on line, how my actions impact others, and will not become a
cyberbully. I promise to use good 'digital hygiene' by using strong passwords and not sharing them.