Cyberbullying and Digital/Internet Safety
Contact Information
The Internet offers a wealth of resources and material for education. Accessed through a variety of electronic devices, it also allows for rich and diverse opportunities for 21st-century communications. These devices are becoming ever more diverse and ubiquitous. They raise issues of digital / Internet safety and digital citizenship. Along with ensuring that our young people have the technological skills to effectively use digital devices, platforms, and resources for educational purposes, we also have the responsibility to teach them how to be safe and productive digital citizens of the 21st century. This responsibility has been mandated through the .
Within this context, includes the prohibition of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic devices to initiate repeated negative behavior toward a less-powerful person. Electronic name-calling, shunning, and shaming are all forms of cyberbullying. So are spreading rumors, gossiping, and making threats online. Schools are permitted to discipline students who engage in cyberbullying if it disrupts the orderly operation of the school. Additional HIB training materials are available on the Safety Center website.
- Attorney General's Cyberbullying Summit
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Introductory Training Presentations - Cyberbullying
The introductory presentations below are provided to assist districts with the HIB training requirements of RCW 28A.300.285. These specifically provide information on cyberbullying:
- Cyberbullying - What Is It: This presentation provides a general background into cyberbullying.
- Cyberbullying - It's Not About Technology: More specific suggestions for dealing with cyberbullying in schools.
- Background Research/Resource Materials
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Research/Resource Material:
- Cybersecurity
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Beyond cyberbullying and other digital safety considerations, districts and schools face ever-changing, challenging cybersecurity hazards and threats. Cybersecurity threats may be considered “technological” or “human-caused” threats. They can disrupt education and critical functions and allow for the release of sensitive information on staff and students. Recovery can be very costly. The resources noted here can help districts and schools develop cybersecurity annexes to their comprehensive EOP/safety plans to prevent such events.
- (REMS )
- (REMS PPT)
- (DHS/NICCS)
- (USDOE)
- Curriculum Resources
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- Mop the Net Day: A school-based opportunity for students to delete, change, modify or otherwise update their online images. These materials include a template each for getting ready, spring cleaning, and follow-up.
Classroom and background information and resources from the .
- Internet Safety Brochure
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Cyber Safety: Tips for Safe Surfing is a full-color, two-page brochure for parents and teens. Schools may print this as a brochure and distribute to their families.
Internet Safety Brochure - English | Tagalog | Spanish | Cambodian | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese
- Legislation & Policies
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The following is a limited list of laws and policies. It is not exhaustive but rather identified several laws and policies which are pertinent to cyberbullying and digital/Internet safety. Please check with state and local agencies for laws and policies in your area.
Federal:
Washington state:
- - AN ACT relating to anti-harassment strategies in public schools
- - Harassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention policies and procedures
- - Creating a workgroup on preventing bullying, intimidation, and harassment and increasing student knowledge on mental health and youth suicide.
- Protecting Children in the 21st Century (Title II of the Broadband Data Improvement Act, 2008)
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The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act adds statutory language to existing FCC rules for the implementation of the (CIPA). CIPA compliance, in turn, impacts ERate compliance. In addition to existing CIPA requirements, the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act now also requires school boards to update their Internet Use/Internet Safety policies to include statutory language to say they are providing for the education of minors regarding appropriate online behavior including interacting with others on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and regarding cyberbullying awareness and response.
- For Training: An Introduction to the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act
- and ERate Compliance
- Sample FCC-based Internet Use Policy & Procedures
- Guidelines for Social Network Use by Teachers
- Incident Investigation Template
- WSSDA Model Policy - 海角社区 Bulletin 010-12
- Sexting Information
- Sexting is not a singular thing. It covers a range of possible actions and motivations. Sexting is online communication involving youth produced sexually explicit or suggestive images created and shared through the use of personal communication technologies. Sexting response requires clear policies and procedures, common sense, compassion, and a known plan of action. Discuss sexting with your legal office before a situation arises.
- Social Networking Resources for Schools and 海角社区
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These documents have been developed by reliable sources. They are designed to help adults in schools and at home better understand what social networking is and how to use it safely. They will help people to more easily talk with youth about appropriate behaviors and safety issues and to be better prepared to help when necessary.
- Teacher / Family Background Resources
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- A resource dedicated to providing trustworthy information and education in the world of media and technology.
- Safety tips, advice, news, and resources for parents, educators, and youth.
- The Cyberbullying Research Center provides up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.
- FOSI works to make the online world safer for kids and their families.
- GetNetWise is a public service of the Internet industry and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences
- Internet resources to be better informed about the online dangers and challenges.
- Cyberbullying information from the NCPC.
- Kid-Tech news for parents.
- Larry Magid's site is one of the oldest and most enduring sites for Internet safety.
- : Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies; 2011
- Youth Resources
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A site created by MTV to empower youth to identify, respond to, and stop digital abuse among young people. A Thin Line has added a link for parents and educators.
Classroom and background information and resources from the .