Bullying, Technology, and Learning

I do not intend this as a rant so hopefully it doesn’t come out that way. One of the things I struggle with as an educator is incongruent set of values that exists between the different spheres that influence student lives. Many go into teaching to teach students the difference between right and wrong, how to do things, the importance of the means over the end. However, there is a massive damaging force that pulls young people in an opposite direction, regardless of their character. We as educators are not competing on a level playing field when it comes to the influence of peers, the mass media, dysfunctional homes, etc.

As a psychology teacher I often come across issues that revolve around gender and sexuality. I recently read a report by the American Psychological Association entitled “the sexualization of girls.” The report suggests that pre-adolescent girls are reduced to physical beings by our culture. Television, movies, fashion, toys and dolls, and advertising are a few of the culprits. Another troubling news event involves cell phones. Students from across the country are “sexting,” which is basically sending sexual images of themselves to friends and significant others. As a result many teens involved in sending or receiving these texts have suffered shame and humiliation. Several states have charged offending youth as sex offenders.
My first blog intends to address what goes in the hallways, commons, cafeterias, playing fields, classrooms, and other public areas that students share. This blog is based on a concept that is probably as old as the classroom experience, but changes its face as technology becomes more pervasive. For me, it is hard to seen nearly invisible, yet for many others it is a constant occurrence, plain as day. The issue is bullying. Kids are kids; both males and females bully their own unique way. At Fosston high school nearly everyone has a cell phone and usage is rampant. Cell phones and other forms of technology are now being used as weapons in a new form known as “cyber bullying” This is a catch-all term that involves sending texts, emails, instant messages and other forms of electronic communication demean and torment a victim. Male students often attack the masculinity by assaulting their victim with homophobic language. A common female taunt is to besiege the sexual purity of their chosen victim. According to the experts cyber bullying is more lethal than more traditional methods. I have read of teens that committed suicide, a common response to a severe depression and identity issues.
My inquiry is to seek some opinions on this matter. Is the use of technology to bully as widespread as they say? Is this version of 21st century hazing more dangerous than years past? Concurrently, does the nature of bullying yield a more severe effect on the mental and physical health of the victim. Finally, what can we as teachers and educators do to combat this phenomenon. As a pessimist, I wonder if we are powerless to stop it. The classroom must be a safe place where young people feel like they are secure and belong. Can that be a self-contained atmosphere independent of other, more threatening places? Thanks, hopefully I didn’t answer the question by asking the question.








Sources

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/05/26/o.truth.about.bullying/index.html#cnnSTCText

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/15/national/main4723161.shtml


http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualization.html