Face-to-face bullying remains a severe problem in the classroom. Still, with the advancement of technology and the prevalence of social media, cyberbullying has become a genuine threat to our youth. As a result, schools are seeing increased aggression, leading to more bullying and student fighting.
Exposure to cyberbullying is associated with psychological distress like depressive symptoms, self-injurious behaviour, and suicidal thoughts. 19% of students report being bullied on school property, while 37% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have been bullied online.¹ Whether they are being bullied in school or online, the victim must understand that educators can be facilitators to address the issue and work towards a resolution.
Anyone with access to the internet can be a victim of cyberbullying. Up to 58% of kids who have been cyberbullied will not tell their parents or report it to the school system, so it can be challenging to detect. However, if you suspect a student is being cyberbullied, there are warning signs you can look for. All the signs listed below are red flags, and none of them should be taken lightly:
Remember, mental health is transitory. It depends on today’s circumstances and, to some extent, the future. But on a look-forward basis, the future can always be better, and by making cyberbullying part of the conversation, we can speed up that process. As long as social media remains, cyberbullying will be a lingering problem that needs to be addressed consistently and continually.
A multi-prong approach is needed. Each student is unique, based on their personality and current life circumstances. Practice active listening and let your students verbalize what they are feeling—listening has an immense impact on building trust and showing them what they have to say is important and that you care.
To learn more on this topic, see the following reference materials we used in creating this article: