Slides (for School’s Use) to Brief Parents on Cyber Bullying

Sharing with Parents on Cyber Bullying A warm welcome to all parents to our sharing on Cyber Wellness.

Outline of Presentation To share on: What is Cyber Bullying? MOE’s Cyber Wellness Education School-wide Programmes School’s Policies & Procedures Parents’ Role in Preventing Cyber Bullying Tell-tale Signs of Cyber Bullying How to Support your Child Today, we will be sharing on cyber bullying, MOE’s cyber wellness education, school programmes and policies and how parents play an important role in preventing and managing cyber bullying.

What is Cyber Bullying? Let’s watch a video Optional slide: Download and play this cyber bullying video (playtime: 12 minutes 12 seconds) from http://www.bullyfreecampaign.sg: http://tinyurl.com/cyber-bullying-Watch (hosted on Singapore Children’s Society’s website “bullyfree.sg” under the Resources & Downloads tab.) This video dramatises a typical cyber bullying scenario. The scene starts with a boy engrossed in typing away at the computer. A teacher happens to pass by and catches him red-handed in his cyber bullying act.  Ex-victims of cyber bullying recall and share their experiences. Students, a parent, teachers, and a counsellor are also interviewed to explore cyber bullying from many perspectives. As this video is 12 min 12 sec long, schools can consider playing a condensed version (3.5 mins) using the following snippets: 1:17 – 1:46 Parent and student sharing their definition of cyber bullying 6: 26 – 8:50 Victim shares experience + youth talks about the role of parents 9: 53 – 10:34 HOD Pupil Wellbeing concludes that we should all do our part to prevent and manage cyber bullying *This video is used with permission from the Singapore Children’s Society

What is Cyber Bullying? Cyber bullying occurs when electronic gadgets (such as mobile phones and computers); social media; and Internet services are used as a means to intentionally hurt someone in cyberspace. Cyber bullying occurs when electronic gadgets, such as mobile phones and computers; social media; and Internet services are used as a means to intentionally hurt someone in cyberspace.

What is Cyber Bullying? There is no physical escape for the victim who can be ‘reached’ 24/7 – negative content can be shared, saved, and spread online. There is no physical escape for the victim who can be “reached” 24/7 as negative content can be shared, saved, and spread online. Children and young people who bully others online do not need to be physically stronger and their methods can often be hidden and subtle. Sometimes, it can be easier to say and reveal things that wouldn’t be said face to face.

What is Cyber Bullying? A bystander can become involved when they share or add the offending post. In the cyberspace, bystanders and observers can become bullies if they share hurtful posts or add on to the nasty comments. Reference: Tokunaga, R.S. Following You Home From School: A Critical Review And Synthesis Of Research On Cyberbullying Victimization. Computers in Human Behavior 26 (2010), 277-287. UK Department of Education. (2014, Nov). Advice for parents and caregivers on cyber bullying. UK Department for Education. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/375420/Advice_for_Parents_on_Cyberbullying_131114.pdf.

MOE’s Cyber Wellness Education MOE’s Cyber Wellness Education comprises of the following components to reinforce the importance of Cyber Wellness and its messages MOE’s CW education comprises a) the CW lessons in the formal curriculum and b) the school-wide programmes (e.g. CW assembly talks, CW activities) to reinforce the importance of CW and its messages. Cyber Wellness (CW) education is systematically implemented in all schools CW curriculum covers cyber bullying and encourages students to be ‘upstanders’ not bystanders

School-wide Programmes Examples of School-wide Programmes << Schools are encouraged to share with parents their school-based CW programmes to create greater awareness how their children are benefitting from the programmes. >> For e.g. Schools can share with parents their school’s cyber wellness student ambassador programme here (i.e. how their students have led in the promotion of CW messages amongst their peers, helped to look out for their peers who are cyber bullied.) Schools are guided by the CW framework to plan and implement CW programmes which are customised to students’ profile and school environment. For example, we conduct …< School to insert relevant activities such as CW Workshops, Assembly Talks, CW Activities, CW Day/Week>.

School’s Policies & Procedures << Schools are encouraged to share with parents their school’s policies/ procedures (e.g. counselling & mediation) for management of cyber bullying; MOE HQ’s Cyber Bullying tip sheet for parents; and the ICT Connection Cyber Wellness portal for parents [http://ictconnection.moe.edu.sg/cyber-wellness/for- parents] MOE takes a zero tolerance stance towards cyber bullying. Our school ….

Parents’ Role in Preventing Cyber Bullying Role model polite online and offline behaviour Stay informed of digital trends Maintain good communication with your child to: Guide him/her to choose healthy and safe online activities Protect him/her from the negative effects of cyber bullying Keep the channel open for him/her to seek help from you Monitor your child’s digital activities Remind your child that: hurting and being mean to others online is not acceptable online behaviour has its offline consequences Parents play an important role in modelling appropriate online and offline behaviour. Asking your children not to use technology is not a realistic way to prevent or react to cyber bullying. Instead parents need to know what their children are doing online and also help them to use the internet in a safe way. To do this, parents need to stay informed and up-to-date of digital trends and to be positive role models when it comes to using technology. More than monitoring their children’s activities, parents need to maintain good and open communication with your child. Good communication is essential in helping a child choose healthy and safe activities online. A positive and supportive connection with your child helps to buffer them against the negative effects of cyber bullying. Positive reinforcement and open communication through active listening tells your child that your ‘door’ is open for him/her to seek help when he/she needs it. Find appropriate opportunities to remind your child that hurting and being mean to others online is not acceptable and that online behaviour has its offline consequences.

Tell-tale Signs of Cyber Bullying Behavioural changes: Being anxious, upset, withdrawn or angry during/after online activities Behave secretively about their online activities Noticeable difference in the amount of time spent online Disinterest in school Avoid friends and school mates Sleep deprivation Low self-esteem It is not always easy to spot the signs of cyber bullying. Be alert to a change in your child’s behaviour. The following are some behavioural changes: Being anxious, upset, withdrawn or angry during/after online activities Behave secretively about their online activities Noticeable difference in the amount of time spent online Disinterest in school Avoid friends and school mates Sleep deprivation Low self-esteem

How to Support Your Child Remain calm and practise active listening Reassure your child of your support Block the bully but do not retaliate Save the cyber bullying evidence Limit the spread of the hurtful message Talk to a teacher at your child’s school and work with the school to resolve the issue. Involve your child in resolving the issues If you suspect that your child is being harassed or bullied either over the internet or via mobile phone, ask them to give you details. If your child tells you that someone is bullying them online, take it seriously. Remain calm and practise active listening. Ask your child to give you details. Reassure your child of your support. Let them know that you care. Do not be quick to judge or reprimand. Do not threaten to withdraw access or otherwise punish a child who's been the victim of cyberbullying. Keep communication channels with your child open. Block the bully but do not retaliate Save the cyber bullying evidence Limit the spread of the hurtful message by reporting the incident to the social networking services to take down the hurtful post. Talk to a teacher at your child’s school and work with the school to resolve the issue. Involve your child in resolving the issues as it can help to strengthen their self-confidence and restore a sense of emotional safety.

Every Parent A Supportive Partner We are all here to build the next generation. Parents and schools are key building blocks, so let us work hand in hand to grow each student into a healthy, well-adjusted adult with strong values and outstanding character.