Originally published on The Detroit News – October 11th, 2023
In today’s digital world, cyberbullying has no boundaries. It can follow our children in all facets of their life, recurring through various platforms and pathways with little opportunity for an escape to safety.
Cyberbullying — harassing, embarrassing, threatening, or humiliating others online — is detrimental to the mental wellness of our children. As cyberbullying becomes increasingly prevalent, studies indicate that “16% of students in grades 9-12 experience cyberbullying” — that means more than two million students’ emotional and psychological well-being is at stake.
As educators, we understand that schools play a pivotal role in teaching students how to engage in building a positive community — in-person and digitally. We have an opportunity to educate students about responsible online behavior and foster a safe learning environment. Schools, however, are only one piece of the puzzle.
Parents are the first line of defense when it comes to their children’s online activities.
Here are a few ways schools and parents can share in a collaborative effort to educate students about responsible online behavior and foster a safe learning environment to prevent cyberbullying.
Scope out the digital landscape — With new social media platforms coming into the scene every day, both parents and schools have a shared responsibility to educate themselves about the various platforms and apps children use. Understanding the digital landscape is key to identifying potential dangers and responding effectively. Together we all have the opportunity to teach and model kindness, empathy, and respect — remember to lead by example with positive behavior both in-person and online.
Encourage open communication: To combat the dangers of cyberbullying, bothparents and schools should work in tandem to foster transparent conversations with theirparents/students about their online experiences. Creating both a home and schoolenvironment in which kids can freely share any negative encounters will ensure they feelcomfortable seeking support without fear of punishment. Schools should have clearreporting procedures in place that children are aware of and understand so they can beinvestigated and addressed promptly.
Provide mental health support: Every school should offer mental health resources tosupport students affected by cyberbullying. By having this support available, students canreinforce the idea that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of strength. At home,parents should become acquainted with signs of distress so they can easily identify whentheir children are struggling and may need professional help.
Limit access to age-appropriate platforms and apps: The gradual release ofresponsibility is a technique of slowly granting more opportunities for students to receiveand exercise their ability to handle online navigation. It requires us, as adults, toconstantly assess and monitor responsible use of the internet. Engaging with students inthis manner can open conversations and strengthen relationships as well as safetymeasures.
In the battle against cyberbullying, school leaders and parents are the strongest allies. Now,more than ever, addressing cyberbullying is not just a matter of safety but also of nurturingempathy, respect, and responsible citizenship in online environments. Together, educatorsand parents can take a powerful stance against cyberbullying, creating a digital world in whichall children can learn, grow, and thrive without fear.
Randy Rodriguez is the head of school at Michigan Virtual Charter Academy — a tuition-free, full-time online public school serving K–12 students across the state.
To learn more about Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, visit https://mvca.k12.com/.
