Can I really get in trouble for that post?Youth, Bullying, and Technology

Jenn Capps, PhD, LPCDenise Mowder, JD, PhD

What You Will Leave Here Today…

• An understanding of cyberbullying & the interaction with traditional bullying

• An ability to identify both victims & offenders• An understanding of the Colorado legislation and

criminal statutes• A feel for the best practices used around the

country• A knowledge of the school safety plans concerning

bullying/cyberbullyingin the Denver metro area• A handful recommendations

What is Cyberbullying• Willful and repeated harm

inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices (Hinduja & Patchin 2009)

• Compared to traditional bullying, cyberbullying is not restrained by space or time.

• Boys do more traditional physical bullying than girls

• Girls do more indirect verbal bullying than boys

• Not to be confused with peer conflict like arguing, ignoring, roughhousing and fighting are not necessarily instances of bullying.

• Nationally:– Traditional: 19.9– Cyberbullying: 25.2%

• Colorado:– Cyberbullying: 20%

Differences between cyber and traditional bullying

• Those who have experienced bullying:

Who are the victims and offenders

• Girls are just as likely, if not more likely, than boys to be victims and offenders (Floros et al., 2013)

• Offenders who reported earning mostly A’s were just as likely to be offenders as those students who reported they earned C’s & D’s.

• Cyberbullying is related to low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, anger, frustration and other psychological problems (Brighi et al., 20912)

• Nationally:– Traditional bullying victims were 1.7 times more likely to

have attempted suicide– Cyberbullying victims were 1.9 times more likely to have

attempted suicide

Who are the victims and offenders

• Those who are traditionally bullied are also bullied online and visa versa. • Canadian study showed 1/3 were victims of both

traditional and cyber (Kowalski & Limber, 2013)

• Many bullies reported they were also victims at some point

• Cyberbullying is related to other issues like problems in school, anti-social behavior, substance use and delinquency (Kowalski & Limber, 2013).

Who are the victims and offenders

Colorado’s Legislative Rules and Regulations

• “Colorado was less explicit in communicating legal expectations and avoided concrete prohibiting statements.” (U.S. Department of Education, 2011)

Colorado’s Legislative Rules and Regulations

• Colorado Legislative Intent:– “The general assembly therefore finds that a policy to create an environment

free of bullying shall be part of each school district's safe school plan.”

• CRS 22-32-109.1(a)– Defined Bullying

• “Bullying” means any written or verbal expression, or physical or electronic or gesture, or pattern thereof, that is intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause any physical, mental , or emotional harm to any student.

– Required additions to school safety plan concerning bullying.• Create a specific policy concerning bullying prevention and

education.• Survey of students• Create team to advise schools• Policy should include disciplinary consequences

Colorado’s Legislative Rules and Regulations

• CRS 24-33.5 – Gave duties of SRO’s

• CRS 22-32-144 (2)(a) – Use of restorative justice as a school’s first consideration

to remediate offenses such as interpersonal conflicts, bullying, verbal and conflicts . . . harassment and internet harassment. . .

• CRS 22-93-104 School Bullying Prevention: – Grants for policy making within school districts– Grants for preventative education that is evidence based

Denver Metro Area School Policies

Best Policies concerning Bullying/Cyberbullying:• Aurora Public Schools• Jefferson County Public Schools

Colorado’s Criminal Statues

• Colorado has no official anti bullying law. – Colorado State Lawmakers chose instead to rely

on their legislative intent to the school districts. • Harassment CRS 18-9-111– Intent + harass + physical contact

Best practices for prevention and intervention

• Comprehensive and collaborative efforts among all youth advocates. • Must include all stake holders: teachers, educational

leaders, community leaders, legislators, parents and students.

What can School Districts Do

• Create a clear and comprehensive policy regarding bullying and its intersection with cyberbullying.

• Create cyberbullying prevention programs and program assessment.

What can school Administrators do

• Implement detailed anti bullying policies and disciplinary actions

• Integrate lessons on cyberbullying into the school curriculum

• Encourage school counselors and teachers to collaborate classroom sessions on appropriate internet use

• Establish a school wide cyberbullying task force to develop and implement anti cyberbullying programs

• Build a relationship with the local police department to speak to parents and student on appropriate internet use.

• Create a school climate where students feel safe to report

What School Counselors can do

• Facilitating the development of effective school policies• Educating parents

– About their legal responsibility for what their child is doing while online

– giving parents signs to look for when recognizing cyberbullying behaviors

– encourage parents to educate their child on how it feels to be cyberbullied as what to do if they are bullied

• Educating students• Developing peer helper programs• Providing responsive services such as reporting and

counseling opportunities

Recommendations

• Recognition of adolescent development• Youth require significantly different

interventions than adults• Tiered system of response to cyberbullying

including:– Assessment– Accountability– Education

Questions?