How much responsibility do schools have over cyber bullying? Intersting article

[simpilotswife]

I have to say that I agree with everyone that it is not necessarily the school's responsibility to "police" the neighborhood. What I DO think that the schools have the authority (and should) to do is to remove children from any teams, clubs or extracurricular activities that they participate in.

I would also be in favor of lowering a child's GPA (in high school) a couple of points if it is determined that they were participating in outside bullying (or any other illegal behavior for that matter), perhaps using Citizenship as a grade that they have to maintain all through high school.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks LuvsJack...

You know, I think that we are all closer than we think in this situation.
Most of you know, as I stated earlier, I have a huge problem when schools usurp the rights/responsibility and think they should become overinvolved. Believe me, I do NOT see the school as having any overriding mandate to monitor or police activity outside of school. NO WAY!!!!

Remember, we are not talking only about this one particular case. (Further reading does show that the school did make some effort. ) To be honest, what was quoted in the OP might be misleading, as it seems to state that the school just blew-off the parents.

I am looking at the main issues here... The question, as asked in the thread's title.

I will try, once again, in a very simple way to state just where the school's responsibility begins.... When the parent's, themselves, present credible information that there is a case of physical threat or serious sexual harassment being carried out by a student/classmate..... Yes, at THAT point, I think the school does have a responsibility. No question.

It appears that, in this particular case, the school did make an effort to look into it. They found their hands tied, with insufficient evidence to determine that the boy in question was involved... (like the Principal said... 'Yeah, right....'.) But, they did acknowledge the problem and make a reasonable effort. So, in this individual case, I might possibly feel that the school did make an effort to meet their responsibility.

If the parents wanted a lot more than that, I think it was just desperation and wishful thinking. Like many have said, if you are wanting the schools to have too much authority - Better be careful what you ask for!

Personally, I agree, totally, with the feelings/views of the one Principal quoted... He states that he simply doesn't see why kids at younger ages should have free reign of these technologies. Of course, I would very very STRONGLY disagree that an educator had any right or authority to make that determination for families... But, I do have to admit that I agree with his views.

I suppose I just have a problem with reasonable, concerned, parents being attacked and Parent Bashed.

 

[luvmy3]

I have to say that I agree with everyone that it is not necessarily the school's responsibility to "police" the neighborhood. What I DO think that the schools have the authority (and should) to do is to remove children from any teams, clubs or extracurricular activities that they participate in.

I would also be in favor of lowering a child's GPA (in high school) a couple of points if it is determined that they were participating in outside bullying (or any other illegal behavior for that matter), perhaps using Citizenship as a grade that they have to maintain all through high school.

I think that is a horrible idea. Where do you draw the line on how you grade for citizenship for children's behavior outside of school.

Taking away extra curriculars, school dances, putting a kid in in-house, or afterschool detention, suspension or expulsion are all ways to discipline a student, if the threat of any of those isn't going to stop them, I hardly doubt getting a failing grade in "citizenship" will either.

 

[Scurvy]

I think that is a horrible idea. Where do you draw the line on how you grade for citizenship for children's behavior outside of school.

Taking away extra curriculars, school dances, putting a kid in in-house, or afterschool detention, suspension or expulsion are all ways to discipline a student, if the threat of any of those isn't going to stop them, I hardly doubt getting a failing grade in "citizenship" will either.

I also think it's a horrible idea. A child's grade should be based on their performance at school, not on what happens outside of school.

Of course I don't think it's appropriate to kick kids out of the school-related extracurricular activities or to punish them in school for things they've done outside of school, either, except perhaps in cases of illegal activities. School rules should only apply at school, and school officials should have no right to discipline the students for the things they do in their own time. If a school has a clearly stated policy that students who are found to be guilty of illegal activities will not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities then that's fine, but otherwise it isn't the school's business what the child does outside of school hours.

 

[dzorn]

If bullying is happening outside the classroom is probably is also taking place inside. The school should be made aware to monitor the situation at school.

Denise in MI

 

[declansdad]

Should the school be made aware of bullying that is going on away from school property or school-sponsored events? Yes they certainly should. This would allow them to be on the alert for activity that may enter into their area of responsibility.

Should the school remove the bully for incidents that take place outside their area of control; certainly not. This is not within their mandate.

 

[JoiseyMom]

THe school did the correct thing. It didn't happen on school property. The parents should talk to the parents, and if that doesn't work go to the police.

D14 was being bullied in school and the school took care of it. If the school hadn't put a stop to it, we would have gone to the police.

I don't udnerstand these parents not wanting to talk to the other parents..you know them...go to them and have them stop it. And tell them if it doesn't stop we will have to go to the police.

The parents should have informed the shcool what is going on so that they can be aware...but that is all.

 

[bicker]

However, in this case... The parents presented the information. The information is very, very, clear evidence of 'sexual harassment'... which (whether the texts were sent while on school grounds or not) very clearly affects the victim while at school.

All the more reason that the issue should be referred to the police.

Bicker, you may not like it, but it's the law now.

If principals determine that the bullying constitutes a criminal act, they would be required to report the incident to law enforcement.

Precisely as I said should be - the issue referred to the police. As far as I can tell, this is the only specific action I see the bill forcing school officials to take against a bully.

Beyond that, it assesses no penalty for failure to comply even with what I suggested, i.e., referral of the issue to the police. It's seems like pretty typically "wave the banner" legislation - all talk, little action. But I am glad to see that they will be required now to report bullying to the police. Too bad the police aren't going to get enough extra resources to follow-up on those reports.

The schools and the police ARE the authorities that we should be turning to to protect our kids from true physical threat or sexual harrassment.

No, rather, even that MA law makes clear that the police ARE the authorities that parents and schools should be turning to to protect our kids. I really hope it works out that way.

When the parent's, themselves, present credible information that there is a case of physical threat or serious sexual harassment being carried out by a student/classmate..... Yes, at THAT point, I think the school does have a responsibility. No question.

To contact the police - to basically force those parents to do what they should have done in the first place, because as soon as the school reports it to the police, the police will take the parents' statement and they'll have effectively gone to the police themselves. I think that's the part that folks are responding to - the parents inexplicable and inexcusable refusal to go to the police. That's the only thing that the parents are being "bashed" for - for refusing to go to the police, for effectively expecting someone else to relieve them of their civic duty in that regard.

 

[bicker]

But it is not clear what this has to do with the topic of the thread Are you saying the bullies get away with things because rules against bullying are not enforced?

Yes, and even beyond that, bullying is incentivized by our society's prevailing environment of entitlement and exploitation; that rules are okay but only for other people.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yes, and even beyond that, bullying is incentivized by our society's prevailing environment of entitlement and exploitation; that rules are okay but only for other people.

Thank you for clarifying. I can totally agree with that Sort of like it is okay to bully the principal into launching an in school investigation of an out of school issue but it is not okay for our DD to BE bullied

I am right there with you (and others) that the only thing to do is hand it over to the police and keep an eye out to see IF it crosses into happening in school.

Edited to add: Yes i know the parents did not BULLY the principal--they just badgered him into it, not all the same thing as being harrassed as this girl was (assuming she did not do equal things herself with those erased responses). Just trying to lighten the mood a bit this morning.