The Internet Bully?

Hola everyone,

So this is my first post regarding technology in the classroom. Essentially, I believe that technology, like anything else, is a double-edged sword. On one hand, students can use programs like Twitter, Facebook, blogging, Internet, and other progams and applications to positively benefit them in many areas of their educational and personal lives. But the question remains, how much is too much, and where does the line get drawn between what is allowed inside public school walls and what must remain blocked and concealed for home usage only. Recenly I have been reading bloggs about how this explosion of internet technology has impacted young students across the globe, and one story really captured my attention. While Tweeting on Greg Garner/classroom_tech's page, I was linked to Christopher Dawson's blog called, "Why is cyberbulling different?" I found this topic very interesting for many reasons.

First, it never occured to me that the internet could "bully". Second, I never realized how much the exchange of global information and communication can really hurt young people if it is abused, whether it be within classroom walls in a local computer lab, or safely behind a home computer. For example, Dawson states that "Last month, a young student named Phoebe Prince who lived just miles from his town apparently killed herself as a result of bullying, both in school and via text messages and Facebook...When threats and insults are posted on a social network for all to see (or at least the circle of acquaintances that matter to students), the effect can be fundamentally different than passing insults in the halls or the aggression of bullies in the locker room. It is inescapable."

This story sticks out to me for several reasons. It seems to me that bullying at school is one type of student abuse, but when links, messages, texts, and other forms of technological "BULLYING" occurs, the audience becomes wider then just a few people. Students may feel like the whole world is now aware of their public bullying, and this may lead to increased vulnerablility to depression, anxiety, and in some cases a desire to commit suicide.

So how can we as teachers fight this negative side effect of new technology? How can we help our students understand the benefits and dangers of global or instantaneous messaging, communication, linking, blogging, tweeting, etc...Is it our job to explain the many ramifications/complications/pressures/responsibilities that come with logging into these many types of online networks? From online pretators, to community bullies, to dangerous chat rooms and more? What is our job as teachers in this respect and how can we get our students to hear us when we preach of the many dangers? Should we preach at all?

My one fear is that this kind of technology is simply moving too fast for us to control. I mean in some cases we find that in many law suits involving internet/computer issues, there are not many precedent cases to look at from the past simply because this technology is so new and changing. I do think that we as teachers do have the responsiblity to embrace this new technology as a form of educational benefit for us as well as our students, but I think careful consideration must be placed on the needs of each particular student. Some students may not be able to handle some types of online programs and tools, simply because they are not willing to understand negative as well as positive responsibilities. I think some level of maturity has to be apparent in order for students to be able to understand and use the internet in the right way.

Ok, so in conclusion, cyberbullying is just one more thing our students are going to have to worry about, but on the bright side.....there are far more advantages to internet usage then disadvantages, and we just need to make sure we and our students remain open-eyed and aware of the world around us.