Running Head: Cyber Bullying School Policies

Cyber Bullying School Policies Diana Jones Georgia Southern University

Running Head: Cyber Bullying School Policies Windemere Ranch Middle School District Cyberbullying Policy. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.wrms.srvusd.net/cyberbullying Summary: In this policy from Windemere Ranch School District, they first begin with providing a definition of cyber bullying, then the policy provides examples, consequences, and tells how to

respond to cyber bullying. Cyber bullying can cause a hostile and disruptive environment and is a violation of the students right to a safe and secure environment. Actions that intentionally harm or damage a person will not be tolerated. The first consequence is a minimum of one day suspension with the maximum of expulsion. The action steps to respond to cyber bullying include saving the evidence, identify the bully, file a complaint, contact the school administration, or contact the police. One of the strengths of this policy is that the school district included social networks, like social networking sites, cell phones, chat rooms, computers, and cameras. They also provided examples such as sending false or cruel messages, creating websites that have stories or pictures of others, and posting a student picture without permission. One of the strengths of the policy is that it includes the requirement of the school administration to report cyber bullying to the police to protect the rights of the students and staff. I did like how the policy included the actions steps that should be followed to respond to cyber bullying. The cyber bullying policy for the Windemere School District is vague compared to the other policies that I found for other school districts. The policy was not lengthy. One of the weaknesses of the policy is that the school district did not provide an explanation of the consequences. I feel that the school policy should be more specific in the explanation of what cyber bullying is and the consequences.

Running Head: Cyber Bullying School Policies Bristol Public School Cyberbullying Policy (2010). Retrieved from http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5730 Summary: In the cyber bullying policy from the Bristol Board of Education, the policy begins by explaining the use of the computers. The school district provides computers to enhance the

students learning and education. The school computers or network cannot be used for the purpose of harassment during or after school hours. The policy provided the specifications of what cyber bullying includes and the consequences for the actions. Cyber bullying includes harassing or threatening a person through messages, pictures, and web posting. The consequences may include the loss of computer privileges, detention, suspension, or expulsion. The school administration will report the cyber bullying to the local law enforcement. One of the strengths of this policy was explanation of what the school district provides for the students, such as the computer use, and the explanation of what cyber bullying includes. The policy included e-mail messages, which some of the other policies that I read did not include email. The policy included situations that occur from a non-school computer and the action that should be taken if the conduct is determined to be disruptive, such as threats. This policy advised people to not erase the material and to print the material to take to the school administration. One of the weaknesses of the policy was how the policy was written about the use of the school computers. The wording of the policy was not as easy to follow as the other policies that I read. The disciplinary action that was included did not seem to be a serious part of the policy because it was written in a small paragraph at the end. The policy was not lengthy and was not very specific in some parts.

Running Head: Cyber Bullying School Policies Lake County School District Student Bullying and Other Forms of Aggression. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=5730 Summary: The Lake County School District cyber bullying policy begins with providing an

explanation of what the school district provides for the students, such as a safe and positive school environment. The policy provides a definition of what cyber bullying includes, for example the use of e-mail, cell phones, and computers to harm a person. The policy included the procedures for reporting, consequences, immediate notification, and referral for the victim and perpetrator. The policy also included how the policy can be so devastating to young people and the affects it can cause. One of the strengths of this policy was the thoroughness of the policy. The policy outlined more than any policy I have read. The policy noted how cyber bullying can affect young people because cyber bullies can hide behind the technology devices by staying anonymous and can spread the hurtfulness to a wide audience. This policy was the first policy that had a section about notifying the parents/legal guardians immediately. It also included the referral for the person being affected and the person who is bullying. The policy stated that the school district would provide training on promoting preventive measures to create a safe and secure learning atmosphere. This policy was very well-written. One of the weaknesses of this policy was that it did not list the consequences like the other policies. It provided a paragraph about the consequences so it was harder to follow. The definition was not at long as other policies. With the length of the policy being eight pages, it was lengthy and hard to stay focused on reading.

Running Head: Cyber Bullying School Policies My School Cyber Bullying Policy Telfair County School District is committed to providing a safe and secure atmosphere for

all of the students, as well as the staff. The Telfair County School District will not tolerate any act that can cause harm to another person or persons. This policy applies to all school activities, during or after school hours. Cyber bullying is the use of technology, such as e-mail, cell phone, messages (e-mail, instant messaging, text messages), computer, camera, or any other device used on or off campus to support hostile behavior that is intended to threaten or harm (physically or emotionally) a person or persons. This behavior should not interfere or disrupt the ability to receive an education. This policy is effective for students and staff. Any one who believes that he/she is a victim of cyber bullying should immediately report the behavior to the school administration. A student may also report the behavior to a teacher or counselor, who will be responsible for notifying the school administration. Parents/guardians will be notified immediately. The local law enforcement will be notified due to the severity of the behavior. A prompt investigation will soon follow after a report has been filed on cyber bullying. The investigator will collect and evaluate facts from documents, interviews, witnesses, etc. The victim and the perpetrator will be referred to counseling immediately. Based on the severity of the act of cyber bullying, the following consequences may range from suspension or expulsion. The punishment will be determined by the school administration.