Bullying Prevention
Anyone with access to technology can create a social media profile and then create posts to communicate and inform. It is a result of our democratic culture that social media is equitably accessed and available to all to express individual points of view. However, with that right to free speech in social media comes an inherent responsibility to present information that is factual and protects children from emotional and psychological harm.
Psychologists have studied the use of social media and have found that the ability to get attention through “likes”, “shares”, and “comments” can release brain chemicals that make the individual feel mentally and physically better. It can become addictive and is called Social Media Addiction (SMA). The more inflammatory the information in the post, the more outraged the reaction becomes, feeding the need for attention. Investigating alleged claims of harassment through social media takes time away from the real work that needs to be done supporting students experiencing real issues. Social media can be used for good. Social media can provide connection and a sense of belonging especially for those who may be isolated and lonely. However, social media is not the appropriate venue for notifying school administration about any issues involving a child who may need immediate assistance.
All schools want to have a warm and welcoming environment where students feel safe and ready to learn. There are policies, practices, and procedures for reporting harassment and incidents of bullying. Using these avenues will result in an immediate response, investigation, and outcomes because we take each reported situation seriously. We are accountable to our students and their families, the community, and the state.
If your child has experienced harassment that has interfered with their ability to learn, encourage them to speak with their School Adjustment Counselor or the Dean of Students to properly report the incident. If the harassment is targeted and pervasive and impacts a student's ability to learn, it may qualify as bullying under state law. To report bullying please go to https://www.napsk12.org/page/bullying-prevention.
If we want to support the children of our community, then allow the schools to work with you to put a stop to harassment and bullying. Use your own social media profile to support your own mental health by being positive, kind, and truthful. Let’s be protective of our young people as they figure out who they are and how best to navigate the world. Teach your children that posting negative and hurtful comments about others is not how to use social media.