Cyberbullying Package
Dear Educators,
NSBA's Technology Leadership Network is pleased to partner with CyberSmart! to distribute the free CyberSmart! Cyberbullying Package to schools nationwide.
In developing these lessons, CyberSmart! adopted an integrated approach, examining all current research findings and using best practices from the fields of cyber security, school violence prevention, and character education to impact behavioral change. Together, these materials offer schools the opportunity to begin a dialogue with students and build a sustained cyberbullying prevention campaign to continually remind the school community about safe, ethical online use.
CyberSmart! did their homework
Their carefully developed cyberbullying package
- uses a social constructivist learning approach to allow students/educators to construct their own knowledge, defining the problems and issues themselves and thus “owning” them. Without this ownership, no behavioral change can occur
- focuses on developing critical thinking and decision-making skills rather than teaching about technologies that change monthly
- recognizes that research shows that getting tough on the bullies themselves is not an effective intervention
- addresses research that reveals most youths do not disclose online harassment to adults for fear of adults overreacting and cutting off online access. Students need to have a student-initiated mechanism for confidential reporting to adults
- focuses on the critical role of the bystander, recognizing research that students do not want to identify themselves as either bullies or targets
- enables discussions with students about online safety and cyberbullying to be easily sustained throughout the school years, similar to the ongoing programs advocated by cyber security experts
- emphasizes the core character values of caring, honesty, fairness, responsibility, and respect for self and others as the underlying message of cyberbullying education
- recognizes that issues regarding cyberbullying are intertwined with those associated with Internet safety, security, free speech, tolerance, and cyber citizenship
Tell us what you think
We encourage you to try the CyberSmart! Cyberbullying Package and tell us what you think. We listen very carefully to your feedback and appreciate you taking time from your busy day to contact us.
Warm regards,
Gene Broderson
Director, National Affiliate Services
Cyberbullying is a concern among parents and educators, but it is a manageable problem that can be addressed in a positive manner to both empower safe, ethical online use and support schools' ability to enhance instruction with technology. This package allows cyberbullying prevention instruction to be easily woven into the regular curriculum and extends out to families and the entire community.
Gene Broderson,
Director, National Affiliate Services
