Journal #8

“POINT/COUNTERPOINT: SHOULD SCHOOLS BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CYBERBULLYING?” By Renee Bogacz and Miguel Gomez Gordillo (NETS 4)

Bogacz, R., & Gordillo, M. (2011). Should schools be held accountable for cyberbullying. Leading and Learning With Technology, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx


Summary:
The article first talks about schools being held accountable for cyber bullying. Bogacz says that technology has created a way for children to bully one another and as a result all educational stakeholders cannot ignore it and must work together to prevent it. Bogacz says that without cooperation between parents, teachers, school administrators and students cyber bullying will continue. The other side of the argument is presented by Gordillo. He says that no schools should not be held responsible. He argues that the root of bullying at school starts at home. According to him if students receive love and support at school there will not be as much cyber bullying. Parents are the first educators of their children and they need to understand how to cooperate with schools to educate their children and prevent cyber bullying. He says that schools need to play the role of rebuilding the family, but they can only support this not make it happen. In conclusion both of these arguments are completely different. The first says that schools can play a huge in preventing cyber bullying, where the second says that the main role is up to the family with only a supporting role from the schools.

Question 1: How as a teacher can you help prevent cyber bullying?
A: I believe the teacher can have a huge impact on reducing cyber bullying. As a teacher I would be sure to discuss the negative consequence in my class and foster a classroom community based on respect. Also a teacher could send a home a no cyber bullying contract to the parents to inform them about the issue and what they can do to help. I would also make sure that my students know that if they ever needed to report cyber bullying that I am there to help.
Question 2: How much of cyber bullying can be held responsible on the parents?
A: This is a tough question. Gordillo’s argument made a lot of sense to me. If a student isn’t exposed to love and respect in his or her home life how can we as educators expect them to act in these ways at school. Parents need to understand that they play a large role in their child’s actions. This being said I think that schools and parents need to act cooperatively to teach students. If this can occur then students will hopefully be less inclined to participate in cyber bullying.