Frosses N.S. aims to ensure that children are safe and feel safe from bullying, harassment and discrimination. This school is committed to teaching children the knowledge and skills to be able to use ICT effectively, safely and responsibly.
UNDERSTANDING CYBER-BULLYING:
· Cyber bullying is the use of ICT (usually a mobile phone and or the internet) to abuse another person
· It can take place anywhere and involve many people
· Anybody can be targeted including pupils and school staff
· It can include threats, intimidation, harassment, cyber-stalking, vilification, defamation, exclusion, peer rejection, impersonation, unauthorized publication of private information or images etc.
· While bullying involves a repetition of unwelcome behaviour the Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools, September 2013, states:
2.1.3. In addition, in the context of these procedures placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour.
WHAT IS CYBER-BULLYING?
There are many types of cyber-bullying. The more common types are:
Text messages – can be threatening or cause discomfort. Also included here is
‘Bluejacking’ (the sending of anonymous text messages over short distances using
bluetooth wireless technology)
Explanation of slang terms used when referring to cyber-bullying activity:
1. ‘Flaming’: Online fights using electronic messages with angry and vulgar language
2. ‘Harassment’: Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages
3. ‘Cyber Stalking’: Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm or are highly intimidating or engaging in other on-line activities that make a person afraid for his or her own safety
4. ‘Denigration’: ‘Dissing’ someone online. Sending or posting cruel gossip or rumors about a person to damage his or her reputation or friendships
5. ‘Impersonation’: Pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material online that makes someone look bad, gets her/him in trouble or danger, or damages her/his reputation or friendships
6. ‘Outing and Trickery’: Tricking someone into revealing secret or embarrassing information which is then shared online
7. ‘Exclusion’: Intentionally excluding someone from an on-line group, like a ‘buddy list’
This list is not exhaustive and the terms used continue to change.
AIMS OF POLICY:
· To ensure that pupils, staff and parents understand what cyber bullying is and how it can be combated
· To ensure that practices and procedures are agreed to prevent incidents of cyber-bullying
· To ensure that reported incidents of cyber bullying are dealt with effectively and quickly.
PROCEDURES TO PREVENT CYBER-BULLYING:
· Staff, pupils, parents and Board of Management (BoM) will be made aware of issues surrounding cyber bullying through the use of appropriate awareness-raising exercises
· Pupils will learn about cyber bullying through Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE), assemblies, friendship week activities and other curriculum projects
· Classes 1st to 6th will participate in the ‘Bullying in a Cyber World’ programme.
· Staff CPD (Continuous Professional Development) will assist in learning about current technologies
· Parents will be provided with information and advice on how to combat cyber bullying
· Pupils will sign an Acceptable Use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) contract
· Parents will be expected to sign an Acceptable Use of ICT contract prior to enrolment and to discuss its meaning with their children
· Pupils and parents will be urged to report all incidents of cyber bullying to the school
· All reports of cyber bullying will be investigated, recorded, stored in the Principal’s
office and monitored regularly
· Procedures in our school Anti-bullying Policy shall apply
· The police will be contacted in cases of actual or suspected illegal content
· This policy will be reviewed annually. Pupils, parents and staff will be involved in reviewing and revising this policy and any related school procedure
INFORMATION FOR PUPILS:
If you are being bullied by phone or on the Internet:
Ie.reachout.com and www.wiredsafety.org have some useful tips.
Text/video messaging
· You can easily stop receiving text messages for a while by turning-off incoming messages for a couple of days. This might stop the person texting you by making them believe you‛ve changed your phone number
Useful Websites
www.spunout.ie www.childnet.int.org
www.kidsmart.org.uk/beingsmart www.antibullying.net
www.bbc.co.uk./schools/bullying http://ie.reachout.com
www.childline.ie/index.php/support/bullying/1395 www.abc.tcd.ie
www.chatdanger.com www.sticksandstones.ie
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