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

1. Can I really get in trouble for that post?Youth, Bullying, and Technology Jenn Capps, PhD, LPC Denise Mowder, JD, PhD

2. 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

3. 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%

4. Differences between cyber and traditional bullying • Those who have experienced bullying:

5. 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

7. 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).

8. Who are the victims and offenders

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. Denver Metro Area School Policies Best Policies concerning Bullying/Cyberbullying: • Aurora Public Schools • Jefferson County Public Schools

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 • Establisha 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

17. 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

18. Recommendations • Recognition of adolescent development • Youth require significantly different interventions than adults • Tiered system of response to cyberbullying including: • Assessment • Accountability • Education

19. Questions?