Cyberbullying involves inappropriate use of technology to harass, humiliate, or threaten others. It commonly affects students ages 8-15 and can occur through cell phones, emails, social media, and more. Teachers face challenges in addressing cyberbullying, such as determining what constitutes an offense and how to discipline incidents that occur off-campus but impact school. Creating a clear classroom technology policy that defines expectations and consequences can help prevent cyberbullying issues from arising. Teachers should also actively monitor student technology use and educate students early about cyberbullying dangers.

1. Cyberbullying:How will you prevent it in your classroom?

2. What is cyberbullying?Cyberbullyinghas many definitions but can be summed up as any inappropriate use of technology that is intended to harass, humiliate, stalk, threaten, terrorize, or slander others.

3. It is not uncommon for cyberbullying to be prevalent in students ages 8-15 and beyond.

4. Vehicles for CyberbullyingCell phones

5. Text messages

6. Picture messages

7. Email

8. Internet

9. Social networking sites

10. Chatrooms

11. Chat tools and more…StatisticsApprox. 160,000 children miss school because they fear bullying

12. One in three teens (ages 12-17) have been victims of cyberbullying

13. One in six pre-teens (ages 6-11) have been victims of cyberbullying

14. Children are just as likely to receive threatening messages at school as they are at home

15. The impact on the victims of bullying often include truancy, depression, poor academic performance, and sometimes suicideIs it against the law?That depends… The biggest hurdle that prosecutors face in cyberbullying cases is the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.There have been numerous court cases concerning cyberbullying, however each is individual and rulings remain just as unique and difficult to predict.

16. Is it against the law?That depends…Cases in which cyberbullies have been convicted have shown that they have abused this constitutional right to an extent that they be held accountable for their actions.

17. LawFifteen states (including Illinois) have legislation requiring districts to create policies about cyberbullying.

18. On this website, each state receives a letter grade based on the occurrences of cyberbullying cases and how they are handled. www.bullypolice.org

19. Also in Illinois schools are required to provide a minimum of two hours of Internet safety instruction annually to their K-12 students.Cyberbullying in the ClassroomThere are numerous recent examples of court cases concerning cyberbullying incidences in school

20. Cyberbullying can take place at school, however, instances of bullying that occurred at home can impact a student’s learning in the classroom as well.It is very difficult if not impossible for students to escape instances of cyberbullying.