Journal 8: Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying? (NETS-T 4 & 5)

Bogacz, Gómez Gordillo , R, M. (2011). Point/counterpoint: should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying?. Learning and Leading, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx

In this short and concise article, Renee Bogacz and Miguel Gómez Gordillo state their opinions of whether or not schools should be the one held responsible for cyberbullying. Bogacz believes that schools should be held responsible for such bullying and ought to be a leader in following strict guidelines to prevent and deal with cyberbullying. She reminds the reader that “whether or not cyberbullying takes place on or off school grounds, it is clear that it greatly affects the school environment.” Therefore, she holds all educational stakeholders accountable; “if one group is not on board, then cyberbullying will continue to be pervasive in the culture of teenagers.”

On the opposing side, Gómez Gordillo does not believe that schools are responsible for cyberbullying. He believes it is the lack of parental love and the disappearance of institutionalized family values. Therefore, if suggests that if the schools were to implement systems of family support and create a method of collaboration that would occur between the home and family unit and the school, we could effectively deal with cyberbullying and hopefully stop it.

Do you side with Bogacz or Gómez Gordillo? Should schools be held responsible for cyberbullying?

In this discussion I definitely side with Bogacz although, like Gómez Gordillo stance, I too believe the role of the family unit is very important in combating such issues such as bullying. Even though the re-creation of the family unit is important, I believe in this situation to the situation. Like Bogacz stated, whether the bullying occurs on school property or not, the school environment and consequently the students are tremendously effected. Therefore, if the students are being affected at school, then it is the schools duty to actively fight against cyberbullying.

Have you ever been involved or heard about cyberbullying?  What type of course of action was taken to stop it?

I am very lucky to say that I have not been involved or do I know anyone personally who has been involved in cyberbullying.  Although this is the case for me, it is not the case for many students who are trying to successfully make it in our schools.  In fact, I was told a story by a Principle of a high school in Temecula about a senior who used a social networking tool to harass and potentially physically hurt freshman students.  the post was found by a parent who was terrified for their child to attend school on this specific date, because as the post stated, the seniors were to push a freshman that day.  Depending on the severity of the push, the senior obtained points.  On notification the Principle took action.  All student knew the consequences if they were to partake, the local news crew was there, and police authorities.  There was to be no tolerance for this type of action.