Technology has changed the school yard or neighborhood bully. While we were growing up, bullies usually used physical domination to intimidate other children. It no longer requires physical intimidation to be a bully. In fact, bullying can be done anonymously, on or off campus, and physical size does not enter into the scenario. Every year headlines identify children who take their own lives as a result of being victims of various forms of bullying. When technology is used to send the message or intimidate, it becomes cyberbullying. Using computers and cell phones, bullies can send threatening or harassing emails, set up offensive websites about the victim, and send harassing text messages or embarrassing photographs.

HIDING BEHIND DIGITAL DEVICES

Unfortunately, bullies can hide their cowardice through digital devices. Temporary email addresses and pseudonyms in chat rooms can conceal the bully's identity. Because of such anonymity today's students may feel uninhibited to do things they would never do in person. Some estimates indicate that eighty-five percent of middle school children have been cyberbullied (Aftab, 2010).

THE SCHOOL'S RESPONSIBILITY

Cyberbullying can occur outside of school hours and off school grounds, which initially led some schools to debate whether schools were responsible for addressing incidents. Several states have instituted legislation that includes cyberbullying and holds schools responsible for providing safe learning environments for students. For example, Georgia's House Bill 927 (2009) legislation, passed in 2010, expands the definition of bullying to include cyberbullying and applies to students in grades K-12. This bill permits schools to separate the identified bully from the victim by placing the bully in a school outside his/her attendance area, requires school employees to report suspected cases of cyberbullying, and establishes procedures to investigate incidences of cyberbullying. Georgia's House Bill 310 (2011), The End to Cyberbullying Act, includes acts of bullying that involve computers and electronic communication devices even if such acts do not originate on school property or school computers, as long as the act is directed to a student or to personnel of the school system. Arkansas' ACT115, An Act to Define Bullying and to Include Cyberbullying in Public School District Anti-bullying Policies, allows schools to address cyberbullying that originates off school property (Arkansas House Bill 1072).

THE MEDIA SPECIALIST'S ROLE

As the library media specialist, you are in a unique position to guide students, faculty, staff, and administration through steps to create an awareness of cyberbullying. These steps include development of a cyberbullying policy and promoting awareness and prevention. Fortunately, there are many resources to guide you.

STATE MANDATES

Where to begin? As part of your annual policy "check-up", make sure that your media center has an up-to-date cyberbullying policy that aligns with the school and district cyberbullying policies. If there are no existing policies, begin your search at the state level. To get information about state legislation on the inclusion of cyberbullying in school policies, contact your state's Department of Education. Hinduja and Patchin (2011) summarized state laws on bullying and cyberbullying, indicating whether a state has legislation that includes cyberbullying and whether a cyberbullying policy is mandated.

POLICY ESSENTIALS

Several key components should be included in a policy to create an environment in which students feel safe: definitions, delegation of responsibility, complaint procedures, consequences of cyberbullying behavior, description of on-campus vs. off-campus school policies, and district or board policies (Downs, 2010). Of course, the policy should identify what happens after an incident of cyberbullying has occurred. Schools should strive to create an environment that will raise awareness and help to prevent such incidents.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND VIDEOS

What can you do to prevent cyberbullying in your school? Promoting awareness is a critical step in helping students understand what cyberbullying entails and the potential effects on other students. One teaching strategy that can be used to start conversations among students involves video-clips and public service announcements (PSA). Some suggested PSAs include the National Crime Prevention Council's (NCPC) In the Kitchen with Megan and Concerned Children's Advertisers (CCA-Kids) Words Hurt. For elementary school, you may want to consider Disney's Get Cyber smart with Phineas and Ferb. Such videos help students understand the power of words and engage students in discussions about cyberbullying. They are easily accessible on YouTube.

Animated videos can also be effective for teaching students about cyberbullying. One such animation series that teens and tweens might find interesting is Angels and Warriors from WiredSafety.org. In this video, three“angels„ offer a victim information and advice about cyberbullying. WiredSafety.org also has other videos designed to teach students, parents, and teachers about online harassment. An animated video for younger students, Professor Garfield Cyberbullying, can be foun d on the website of Common Sense Media.

PROMOTING AWARENESS

Have students participate in a cyberbullying campaign in which they develop projects designed to raise awareness. Students can create posters that can be placed in the media center and school hallways. Older students might enjoy developing a wiki or blog about cyberbullying. These Web 2.0 tools can provide students with an outlet to voice the message that posting negative comments, spreading rumors, or posting inappropriate pictures about peers is degrading and that there are consequences for such actions. Working on the projects in groups helps students to get to know others and start conversations about cyberbullying.

CURRICULUM AND COLLABORATION

To reach students outside the media center, collaborate with teachers to educate students about cyberbullying, how it impacts others, and how to respond if it happens to them. Collaborating with teachers to incorporate a cyberbullying prevention curriculum in the classroom is an effective way of making both students and teachers aware of cyberbullying. One such curriculum (free) is Cyberbullying: Encouraging Ethical Online Behavior, developed by the Media Literacy Network of Canada. This curriculum includes a series of lesson plans for grades 5-12 that promote an understanding of cyberbullying and its ethical and legal implications. It can be used to support anti-bullying and empathy building programs already in use. Another free curriculum designed for K-12 is the Cyberbullying Lessons and Activities package developed by CyberSmart. This package is available online and consists of nonsequential lesson plans and activity sheets that can be integrated readily into the regular classroom curriculum. Both packages include handouts and materials to educate teachers and parents about cyberbullying.

BREAKING THE CYCLE

Make sure to provide students with information about what to do if they are the victim of a cyberbully Students need to understand that retaliation is not an option when responding to a cyberbully's cruelty. Such actions would result in their becoming a cyberbully and a cycle of online harassment. StopCyberbullying.org's“Stop, Block, Tell„ technique emphasizes the need to stop before responding impulsively in a negative way, suggests blocking the cyberbully to prevent further communication, and telling an adult about the incident. Students need to understand the importance of reporting incidences of cyberbullying so that others do not become victims. Parry Aftab, an Internet privacy and security lawyer, has been instrumental in providing students, parents, teachers, and schools with self-help presentations on how to respond when a cyberbullying incident occurs.

WORKING WITH PARENTS

Teaching parents about Internet safety and helping them establish rules for Internet use is another way to play an active role in the prevention of cyberbullying. On their website, Common Sense Media offers "Parent Tips," helping parents establish a code of conduct for technology use. These tips include such items as appropriate online behavior, limiting online socialization, privacy issues such as password and identification information, and communication about cyberbullying incidents. Additionally, you can help parents develop Internet and smartphone use contracts with their children to ensure that children understand what is considered appropriate and non-appropriate online behavior. Examples of such contracts have been developed by Hinduja and Patchin (2009). Tips for establishing online rules and Internet/ cell phone use contracts can be included in a written brochure designed for parents or presented to parents at school functions, such as Family Fun Night or PTA meetings.

TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE

Cyberbullying is an increasing challenge for 21st century educators. School library media specialists can have an active role in addressing cyberbullying in schools through establishing policies on cyberbullying and promoting awareness and prevention of this form of bullying.