Empowering students to cyberback as a school faces the consequences of hurtful posts
This topic may be sensitive to some students. Please review the content before sharing it with your class.
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
Social media can sometimes feel like a two-sided coin. On the one hand, it can be a powerfully positive tool when it is used for good. The public support through social media to NFL player, Damar Hamlin, is a great example of this. However, when students are not empowered with modern-day life skills that equip them to make high-character decisions, social media can present challenges and become a place where bullying, for example, can occur. A community in Wisconsin is learning this lesson. Last November, a high school student posted a picture of other students with a racist caption to their private Snapchat story. Just last week, the post resurfaced and became public to parents and the school.
School community members say this is not the first time a student has been subjected to racism in their school, and some say that the school district needs to do more to prevent bullying and racism. The school district stated that the student who took and posted the photo is being held accountable with “the appropriate consequences.”
When we think about social media, it’s good to know that most platforms are made for people to connect in a friendly way. Yet, it is also clear that this freedom can leave the door open for reckless and hurtful speech. Schools around the country have become hotbeds for this. Almost half of all teens aged 13-17 (46%) report that they have experienced cyberbullying online. As educators look to equip their students with the tools necessary for lifelong success, it’s important that we flip the script to encourage positive interaction on social media.
The benefits of creating norms online
In a student’s online world, the standards that they follow and the way they interact with each other have a big impact on how conversations play out. Communication professors Stewart M. Coles of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Daniel S. Lane of the University of California, Santa Barbara, say that people are more likely to speak up against them if their community has established clear discussion “rules”. These standards can include things like being respectful to others, avoiding hateful language, and supporting diverse viewpoints.
In a supportive online environment where students live up to high standards, students regularly check in on one another and support each other, rather than fall into the cyberbullying trap. Engaging in activities that encourage understanding of diverse viewpoints and collaboration on projects helps develop these skills. By honing communication skills in class, students become better equipped to navigate online discussions positively.
The Importance of huddling in the classroom
Knowing how to establish open communication in learning environments is essential for fostering an atmosphere that promotes positivity. When students talk respectfully and listen to each other’s ideas, it helps everyone learn more about one another. By having these kinds of conversations, students can learn to see things from different points of view and solve problems together. This can even lead to increased instances of cyberbacking, as it has been shown that people are more likely to stand up to someone they have a close relationship with.
The “Making Caring Common Project” at the Harvard School of Graduate Education takes a deeper dive into how students can have each other’s back in the face of negativity. The project specifically focuses on students sharing emotions and experiences. It states that sharing experiences can be a driving force in creating compassion and empathy in the classroom. This can be very important when it comes to combatting cyberbullying.
Encouraging students to talk about their own experiences with cyberbullying helps them think about it more deeply. By focusing on how feelings and memories affect how they see things, students understand each other better and make the school a friendlier place.
Respecting boundaries online and offline
In our classrooms, it is extremely important to respect each other’s boundaries, especially when dealing with social media. Dr. Jane Bluestein, the author of the book “The Win-Win Classroom,” believes that a student’s freedom to establish boundaries can create a fulfilling classroom environment. When every student sets their own boundaries, they often feel respected and safe. She writes that this freedom makes social outcomes much more desirable in the classroom. In the online environment, the results are no different. Being able to understand boundaries on social media helps students empathize with one another.
By encouraging respect and empathy in school, educators can teach students how to use social media wisely, especially when they encounter cyberbullying or hateful speech.
Huddling with students to promote understanding and respect
Facilitating conversation, setting rules, and respecting boundaries are crucial elements in addressing cyberbullying. By promoting open dialogue, educators can foster understanding and empathy, paving the way for positive change. When students know the rules and can have each other’s backs, safe spaces where students can support one another are created. Together, these actions empower individuals to confront hate speech and cultivate environments where cyberbullying is not tolerated. Here’s how these values can be implemented in your classroom:
- Educate Others: Encourage students to educate their peers about the harmful effects of cyberbullying and the benefits of promoting acceptance online. They can share information, resources, or personal experiences to raise awareness and generate understanding among one another.
- Seek Support: Remind students that they don’t have to confront cyberbullying alone. Encourage them to reach out to trusted adults for support and guidance if they encounter or are affected by hate speech online. Together, they can work to address the issue and create a safer online environment for everyone.
- Cyberback One Another: Talk to students about ways they can take action against online hate speech. They can speak up for better rules on social media, help others understand how to think critically online and support each other by standing against hate speech when they see it.
- Use your Platform on Tech for Good: Encourage students to use their online platforms for positive activism and advocacy. This could include sharing positive messages, supporting organizations that promote equality, or simply sharing encouraging words with one another.
Creating a respectful school environment is crucial for ensuring that every student feels respected and supported. Cyberbacking each other by standing up to discrimination and embracing differences can create a winning culture overall. For more information on how to achieve this, you can check out TSI’s lesson on using student voice to strengthen school culture.
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
What role do you think social media platforms should play in combating hate speech, and how can students actively contribute to creating a safer online environment within their own online communities?
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.