Combating Cyberbulling Apps
As someone that works with teens,
there is a group of apps you should be aware of that could make a
negative impact on your classroom environment (or your homelife if you have preteens and teens). These apps allow
students to post pictures and/or make comments - often anonymously. The
newest of these apps to gain notoriety is called Burnbook - you can
read a bit about it here: http://mashable.com/2015/03/26/burnbook-app/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link
This
app joins a host of other apps (YikYak, Whisper, AfterSchool, Ask.fm,
to name a few) in the same category - they easily promote the escalation
of cyberbullying among students.
So, what are ways you can combat this?
1.
By Educating - as technology becomes more seamlessly integrated with
our lives, and especially with learning, we cannot rely on AUPs or Terms
of Use to guide students' behavior. We need to provide modeling and
conversations. There are great resources out there (CommonSense Media
is one such provider), or it could just be about showing and talking
about positive ways to use technology each time the opportunity presents
itself.
2. By Being Proactive - establishing norms
before there is an issue is much easier than implementing them after
habits are formed.
3. By Encouraging Positivity -
taking a bit of time to start a positive campaign can have far-reaching
impact on students. Celebrations are important, and allow students to
build as a community. These campaigns don't have to be in the apps (like some parents in Pennsylvania used) - they can be verbal, written, typed...there are a variety of approaches to this. Just focusing on the positives is the key.
While I am sure there will be another app making the headlines in the next 6 months, we do have the ability to combat it in ways that can eliminate the desire for such an app.
While I am sure there will be another app making the headlines in the next 6 months, we do have the ability to combat it in ways that can eliminate the desire for such an app.
