Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is any form of bullying that takes place online or through smartphones or tablets. Social networking sites and apps can be great fun but we need to know what to do if things go wrong. The problem with cyberbullying is that it can happen anywhere and at anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it can go viral very fast.
Our pupils need to understand that when they join a social networking site, app or chatroom that people in there may not be who they pretend to be. We do work in school around this but it is also imperative that parents also speak to their children, monitor their internet use and talk to them. Talking is the best way for children to open up about their experiences.
Our pupils are taught to:
- Never give out their real name
- Never tell anyone where they go to school
- Only meet someone from a chatroom in a public place with one of their parents or another adult. If they are genuinely who they say they are they will be happy to do this
- Never give out their address or telephone number
- Never agree to meet anyone from a chatroom on their own
- Tell an adult if someone makes inappropriate suggestions to them or makes them feel uncomfortable online
Please use the following websites for further information.
https://www.bullying.co.uk/cyberbullying/
http://www.inpatientdrugrehab.org/cyberbullying-substance-abuse/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/bullying-and-cyberbullying/