Demystifying & Deescalating Cyber Bullying in the Schools
A Resource Guide for Counselors, Educators and Parents
Barbara C. Trolley, Connie Hanel, Linda Shields
Reviewed by Barb Radmore
"Cyber bullying is defined as
involving "...the use of information and
communication technologies such as e-mail, cell phones and pager text
messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal websites, and on-line
personal polling websites, to support deliberate, repeated and hostile
behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others.."
As society evolves, so do the topics with which schools and educators
must cope. Technology is adding to the growing and
changing issues. One of the latest, most difficult to address is
the problem of cyber bullying. With the rash of school related
violence bullying is a hot topic in most schools throughout the United
States. As the availability of computers to all students has increased,
so have the incidences of cyber bullying. It is a way of communication
that can cause immeasurable harm when misused as a way of threatening,
demeaning or through the use of words or images. Personal or school
email are used for one on one attacks, group public humiliation
is attained through sites such as My Space. Parents and schools must be
alert to this expanding form of bullying and its effects on our
children.
Each different avenue and form of cyber bullying is addressed in this
book as well as the possible underlying causes and response
suggestions. It does not lump all incidents together but examines
the potential motivation behind the attacks and looks at ways of
identification and prevention. One of the books strengths is that it is
very specific with concrete ideas that can be practiced and
implemented. The sources of the information behind the program
are well documented and plentiful.
The authors of this book advocate that "the focus be on assessment with
a therapeutic response to cyber bullying . A proactive rather than
reactive approach.." This textbook for educators and parents is written
in a concise format that uses defined tables of information and
bulleted lists to clearly present extensive information. Bold
section titles with brief introductory overviews enable the reader to
carefully work through what could potentially be an overwhelming amount
of information. It includes check lists, reporting forms and assessment
tools that are ready for use by school counselors and administrators.
This can be used as a resource guide or an actual textbook for
workshops or seminars. It also lists many, many sources of additional
information for anyone who would like to explore the topic further.
Demystifying and Deescalating Cyber Bullying in the Schools: A Resource
Guide for Counselors, Educators and Parents will be a valuable addition
to any school computer program, resource library or workshop curricula.