Bullying has become an epidemic across the country concerning students and the educational system. We have seen more incidents of bullying in the schools that have ended in murder or suicides. Bulling is happening outside of schools in places like bus stops, on the bus, after school programs and outside of school functions. Our latest issue with bullying is cyber bullying.
Why is cyber bullying and such a big issue today; children have killed each other and committed suicide after being a victim of cyber bullying. Additionally cyber bullying is usually not a one time occasion. Cyber bullying is the act of targeting a person or group of minors by other minor/s repeatedly. Many children know cyber bullying when they see it because of they have been made a target not only through electronic devices but at school also. Cyber bullying usually includes hurtful name calling, threats, and pictures, rude and embarrassing posts/texts.
of school”.
According to public act No. 11-232
“(2) "Cyberbullying" means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications; (3) "Mobile electronic device" means any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing data communication between two or more individuals, including, but not limited to, a text messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video disk, or equipment on which digital images are taken or transmitted; (4) "Electronic communication" means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system”.
(5) "Hostile environment" means a situation in which bullying among students is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the school climate;
(6) "Outside of the school setting" means at a location, activity or program that is not school related, or through the use of an electronic device or a mobile electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education;
This act went into affect as of July 1, 2011 and school staff is responsible for addressing issues involving cyber bullying off campus as a preventative measure to prevent tragedy.
“(7) "School employee" means (A) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (B) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education; and
(8) "School climate" means the quality and character of school life with a particular focus on the quality of the relationships within the school community between and among students and adults.
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