Cyber-Bullying in Y.I.S.

Our school, Yanbu International School, has a cyber bullying policy noting in the 2011-2012 student handbook;

Derogatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate e-mail exchanges, instant messages, digital images, or web postings are prohibited.

The possible consequences for cyber-bullying in our school is maybe that the freedom to use the computer will be taken from you, or you will not be allowed to bring or use electronic devices in the school campus. The victim might get detention for break and lunch times and have to sit with the student counselor or school principal. The counselor and principal can talk about the actions the victim took and also talk about what could have happened if the victim did the action online with some stranger. In the 2011-2012 school handbook it notes;

g. Appropriate use of the Internet.

As a mission driven school, technology users may not access portions of the Internet that do not promote the instructional mission of Y.I.S. Although the Internet can provide access to information (e.g. pornographic materials, vulgarity, gambling, militant/extremist material, hate speech, and the like) that is inconsistent with Y.I.S.’s mission, any school technology user may not access, store, share, or display such information.

h. Monitored Use

Please understand that email and any other use of the electronic communication systems by students shall not be considered confidential and may be monitored at any time by designated staff to ensure appropriate use of educational or administrative purposes.

i. Consequences

Deliberate attempts to violate Y.I.S.’s acceptable use guidelines, or compromise, degrade, or disrupt system performance will result in restricted use of computers at school or other appropriate consequences.

 I would like to change the current policy a little bit by adding the consequence of contacting the victim’s parent for a meeting discussing the consequences of cyber-bullying online. Also, the counselor and principal should advice the parents to monitor the victim if he goes online at all times.