STOP CYBERBULLYING

Cyberbullying is becoming a major concern to not only parents but also society. We as Techinnovar we are ready to tackle this problem by all means necessary. Should you encounter any cyber harassment, please, feel free to contact us.

Below is a list of practices that we should all adopt for internet safety. Note, there are various ways to tackle the issue of cyberbullying in our day to day society. I have listed only but a few not limited to this list.

Create anti-bullying strategies for your school:

In school, ambassadors/prefects are should be appointed to come up with ideas to prevent bullying and present them to the school in groups of four to six. Recently I saw an idea of having a bench with cushions in the playground where pupils can sit and talk to ambassadors. They also talk to parents about their work.

Understand what’s not bullying :

As Techinnovar we run several campaigns Against Bullying, we also offer training which is attended by the whole school community, including parents. We talk about everything regarding online safety, dos and don’ts on the internet, bullying, including what is not bullying, such as a difference of opinion, a fight or an argument.

Teach your child at a tender age:

We need to educate pupils about cyberbullying as soon as we expect them to start using technology. Nowadays children below six years know how to download games ways better than some millennials.  We also must educate parents. There is the assumption that cyberbullying won’t affect their child until secondary school. We run workshops for parents of children in reception about staying safe online, primarily to highlight areas they wouldn’t even think of – cyberbullying doesn’t just happen on Facebook.

Empathy is the key to cyberbullying:

Let it be known that we cannot always hide behind a screen, computer, tablet or phone and bully others. The cyber world is part of the real world and should not be being separate. The approach we adopt is for perpetrators to develop their empathic skills. It is so important for young people to be able to imagine the effect their words and actions may have on their victim.

Run workshops for parents/teachers/tutors and Educators:

We talk about the definition of cyberbullying, the type of young person that may become a perpetrator or victim, different types of online harassment and what to do if your child is affected. We also run specific e-safety workshops, where we look at the different ways children cyberbully and how parents can help protect their child online.

Understand the law when it comes to cyberbullying:

If the school suspects that an indecent image has been shared, particularly in a

cyberbullying context, the device may be confiscated. In general, such images should not be viewed unless there is a clear reason to do so, such as checking the device to see if any offense has been committed. teachers or parents should not go on a fishing expedition through a pupil’s device and should always act within the school’s protocols, safeguarding and child protection policies.

Involve higher authority within the community:

One of the things we have found to be powerful is involving authority whenever necessary. A bullying incident may not involve prosecution, but it helps parents and students gain a better understanding of the legal dimensions involved. It’s particularly important when it comes to addressing issues that arise when students are in possession of an indecent image or video of another child, where discussions are also an issue of child protection.

Words of wisdom to youths:

My advice to the young people, treat your online passwords like your toothbrush, don’t share them with anyone, not even your best friend, and change them regularly. And keep your tweets sweet and your status gracious.

Let’s raise children as a society :

An interesting perspective is how bullying affects other people, causing reactions that impact the victim even more. Getting bystanders to empathize is key and their role in bullying is something that a school’s e-safety curriculum should cover. This is not only a teacher/parent obligation but rather a social concern and therefore should you see any evil blow the whistle.