Cyberbullying

The use of new technology(4IR Tools) has increased in educational sectors which led to a increase in students social engagement and collaborative learning. The use of social media is becoming more popular in schools, although it comes with it challenges such as cyberbullying. Bullying is a huge problem that is faced in educational institutions, individuals have found ways to bully others online using technology, this is called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when one uses the internet or digital communication devices to send or post cruel, harmful and unethical texts or images. Cyberbullies are daily internet users and usually victims of physical bullying that use the social platforms to avenge against those who bully them. Teachers have to be careful and should facilitate the use of social media accounts in teaching and learning, because learners can use these to bully others during and after class. For example, one could be sending or posting anonymous texts or pictures shaming another or making them the center of attention to make the class laugh, which will lead the victim to start feeling insecure and unwanted. Another example.  Students can use these social platforms to spread rumors and harass others. Cyberbullying can occur more anonymously and circulate faster and it is also easily preserved, so both the educator and learner could be clueless of who the bully might be. For example, a learner or even the teacher might create a fake profile and use it to shame  and discriminate against other, knowing they will remain anonymous, the offensive posts will remain on the platform for as long as it's not deleted causing more detrimental effects. The teacher must be aware of cyberbullying and come up with strategies that will prevent and intervene to make sure every learner is safe. A combination of strategies from schools and home can be used to decrease and overcome cyberbullying. Personal websites, social networks or even emails can be used for bullying. Cyberbullies can impersonate one's account or even exclude others from online groups or collaboratives. The effects of cyberbullying can be detrimental to learners,  which could lead to one being violent, dropping out of school or even cause psychological harm due to the offensive content being available to others everyday. "Learners can even go to the extent of using these social platforms to create groups and invite others to join then lie to them, saying they want to befriend them so they can make fun of them."Lynette K. Watts, Jessyca Wagner, Benito Velasquez, Phyllis I. Behrens (2017). Cyberbullying can go to the extent of cyberstalking and sending death threats to others, putting them at risk which is a serious crime. This could lead to the victims being depressed and leads them to have poor psycho-social adjustments. Teachers should be on the look for those who flame against others which is the use of electronic devices to send angry messages that consist of vulgar language. Educators and learners must strive to use social media accounts more efficiently and effectively in teaching and learning.

These videos should help you to deal with cyberbullying effectively video 1 ,video 2  and video 3