1. How WouldYou
It? Likecyberbullying
Executive Statement
Cyberbullying is a growing epidemic in the world of bullying
with some unique characteristics that make it especially
traumatic for children; it can even easily follow them home.
With all the evidence about how dangerous it is, we propose
that USD 497 adopt a comprehensive bullying program for
middle school children that is also effective with
cyberbullying, and a solid option is the internationally
renowned iSafe antibullying program1
. To keep our middle
school children from becoming another statistic on a growing
national rap sheet of children who are the victim of
cyberbullying or who are bullying online, we need to adopt a
comprehensive cyberbullying program to protect one of our
most valuable assets.
What IS the Problem?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic
technology, via cell phones, computers, and tablets and
through communication tools such as social media websites,
text messaging, and chatting2
.
Cyberbullying has been shown to be incredibly damaging to
the targets and those who do it. Boys who have cyberbullied
had an increased risk of incarceration in adulthood3
. The
victims of cyberbullying may suffer from anxiety, low
self-esteem, depression and even suicide4
. When it comes to
the school system where children have unlimited access
online, it is of crucial importance that they be protected and
guided in that.
Cyberbullying by Gender
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
Random sample of 10-18 year olds from large school districts in
the southern United Satets
Male (n-2212)
I have been
cyberbullied
(lifetime)
I have been
cyberbullied
(previous 30
days)
Someone
posted mean
or hurtful
comments
online
Someone
posted a
mean video
about me
online
Cyberbullying Research Center
www.cyberbullying.us
Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (2010)
I have
cyberbullied
others
(lifetime)
I have
cyberbullied
others
(previous 30
days)
I spread
rumors
online about
others
I posted a
mean or
hurtful
picture
online
Female (n-2162)

2. Like many other states, Kansas says that all kinds of bullying must be addressed by the local school boards5
. USD 497 does have
policy around bullying6
, but the district leaves it up to each school to interpret their version of following the policy. Having one
comprehensive program in place for all middle schools could be more effective.
The Policy Landscape
Who Does it Affect?
Any student who uses technology is at risk of cyberbullying,
and one incident has the potential to be continuously viewed,
unlike bullying that does not happen via technology. Children
who would not engage in other forms of bullying seem to
engage more readily in cyberbullying7
. As far as bullying in
general, depending on the environment, minorities may be more
at risk8
. Middle school children, however, are especially
impressionable and are increasingly using technology.
The statistics on cyberbullying are sobering. Over 90% of
students from ages 12 to 17 have access to a computer. Over
50% of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and
almost that number have also been a part of the bullying. More
than 25% have experienced repeated bullying online or through
their phones9
. Suicide also has been shown to be linked to
cyberbullying, and suicide is one of the leading causes of death
among young people10
. There are numerous statistics with
regards to cyberbullying, but they all point to one thing;
Cyberbullying is prevalent and harmful.
Cost & Benefits
Any type of bullying, including cyberbullying, can cause a
student to be truant or have low attendance, have expulsions,
be involved in vandalism, or drop out of school altogether.
When added up in a school of 1,000 students, the cost of such
activities was estimated at a staggering 2,314,600.00 per
year11
. Sometimes school districts are sued and fined for
limiting freedom of speech when taking action against
cyberbullying12
. However, with greater education for students
and staff on how to deal with cyberbullying even before it
begins, the likelihood of that happening will decrease. The
cost of cyberbullying could be enormous, and doing nothing
could have more serious consequences.
School districts, though, will have to find resources to
implement a comprehensive cyberbullying program. To offset
that cost, a district-wide policy could be adopted, and
resources, information, and trainings could be shared among
all schools to provide less of a greater overall cost.
Cyberbullying is a growing issue that could affect every student with access to technology. Putting a comprehensive program in place
that educates middle school staff and students within USD 497 about how to deal with bullying online is the best chance at trying to
eliminate cyberbullying as much as possible.
What Does This Mean?
As members of the Lawrence school board and protectors of our children, you can act to ensure that our children are educated about
staying safe wherever they are. Adopt a program like iSafe that looks at bullying on various levels and includes treatment for the ever
growing threat of cyberbullying. A program like this needs to be enacted before one of the horror stories of cyberbullying becomes a
reality in our own backyard.
Establish a strong antibullying program, like iSafe, that will also address cyberbullying in USD 497 school district.
Provide training for the antibullying programs that are implemented in USD 497 for all school employees.
Provide professional development materials and resources to school employees
Our Goals
Adopt a Program In Lawrence
1
http://www.iSafeprogram.net/is-iSafe-effective
2
http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/
3
http://nobullying.com/bullying-statistics-2014/
4
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html
5
http://www.kansas.gov/government/legislative/bills/2008/2758.pdf
6
http://www.usd497.org/Domain/593
7
DOI: http:// 10.1007/s10964-013-9920-x
8
http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/index.html
9
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html
10
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html
11
http://www.nassp.org/Content.aspx?topic=The_Financial_Costs_of_Bullying_Violence_and_
Vandalism_Web_only_
12
http://stopcyberbullying.org/what_is_cyberbullying_exactly.html