I'm trying to write this post from our ancient computer at home....Good old Easter Holidays.
On 23rd of March 2013, five members made up of our printing making group, our lecturer and a coordinator from the community group itself attended "Dealing with cyber-bullying: A practical approach" in IADT Dun Laoghaire. We set of after seven that morning, and after driving down almost every street in Dun Laoghaire we arrived and set up our stand. It's the first time members of our community based practise group have stepped outside of the studio,so this was a new venture, and it was something to aim for in regards to getting work done over the last week and a half.
Now I was sure that we would be one of many stands and displays at this event. It's probably a reason that I really didn't mind going, I would have though that seeing as it was in a venue so close to an art college, that other groups and organisations would be represented. We were the only display. No pressure.
Throughout the week, we were sure that we wouldn't have nearly enough to fill our display, we though it was to be an 8x8 sized display space. As it turns out, it was smaller, and we had more than enough made to fill the space. We were right inside the front door, which was great really because there was no avoiding us!
Irene Connolly, IADT showed us this video as part of her talk on The role of bystanders in tackling cyberbullying:
We are all Daniel Cui
How one school came together to support a victim of cyber-bullying in their school.
Sorry for any shuffling during the recordings, I was writing and moving sheets pretty frantically! It will really only affect a few seconds at the start of some of the recordings, but I apologise for it none the less!
- Irene Connolly, The Role of the bystander in tackling cyberbullying
- James O'Higgins Norman, Homophobic Bullying
- Grainne Kirwan, Social Media and Internet safety
- Stephen Minton, developing technological tools in the prevention and countering of cyberbullying behaviour
- Deirdre McDonnell, Action Plan on bullying
There are some things that I didn't even consider when thinking of cyber-bullying, and I'm sure they didn't come up in any discussions we had as a group, at least not in any great detail. Dr.James O'Higgins Norman from DCU looked at the problem of homophobic bullying in schools, as it's something that occurs both online and offline. It is especially a problem in second level schools.The talk looked at teachers fears of standing up for LGBT issues, for fear of being targeted themselves. This inactivity turns them into bystanders. 90% of second level teachers have reported homophobic bullying on a weekly basis within their schools. And why is this? Why is their such a divide between second and third level? How come within few months after leaving secondary education, it become a none issue for people to be gay or be associated with LGBT issues? There is wider acceptance at third level. I won't say in this country that their is equal and perfect acceptance, but compared to second level education there is a massive difference.We heard about the bystander effect from Irene Connolly . In this case, the over arching silence of LGBT views and issues at second level is leading to a negative culture surrounding this. There is the problem of Indirect homophobic bullying, and this is linked to school ethos. For example, the idea of 'everyone is straight', or one stereotype being applied to all students, and the idea of everyone fitting into a social circle. Homophobic bullying arises from this idea of normal, according to Dr.O'Higgins Norman. If someone steps outside the idea of normal then they are targeted. The oppressive nature 'fitting in' and conforming while in second level schools only proves that young people are not learning to deal with difference.
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Grainne Kirwan looked at social media and Internet safety. I have a slightly older post highlighting some tips to stay safe online: Top Tips to online safety! During this talk she presented us with comments left on sites such as Facebook, Ask.fm (which is a point of controversy in Ireland currently), Formspring (Similar to Ask.fm), Spill It, and Little Gossip. The worst of these comments were often left by adults. As I said in an earlier post adults: have giving children a master class in cyber-bullying. She made a point that is later supported by Stephen Minton. Banning the Internet, social media or specific social media sites won't work. Encouraging safer behaviour, encouraging general mutual respect, and educating people on the importance of privacy settings may.
The Internet has it's good and bad points. For example, it can help and support Interpersonal relations and allows an expression of identity. It combats stigma surrounding mental health conditions.
However, it is often seen for it's bad points such as it increasing lack of privacy and the fact that many people use the Internet and social media as a weapon, abusing this privacy.
Stephen Minton spoke about Mobile Phone Aggression (MPA). This was something we had thought about as a group, and we had some graphics representing it, but most of our attention did go on social media. Dr.Minton described MPA as being psychologically dangerous, and re-affermed the idea of "No safe place" for victims. It is that bit more personal again. A computer can be turned off much easier than a phone. MPA has been a long standing problem. In 2006-7, one in ten children were being bullied through mobile phone devices. The fact that phones are so conceabable, and sim cards are interchangable also helps it remain a strong weapon of cyber bullies. As with other forms of cyber bullying, a mobile phone depersonalises the victim, "When we can't see our traget, it's easier to be brutal", easier to justify our actions.
As it turns out, MPA has been banned since 1951!
Telephone violence has been banned under section 1 and 13 (offences connected with telephones).
Dr.Minton was part of a group that set up "Safety Net". It allows any softwear to be blocked, it prevents drunking dialing (which will save you both embarrasment and the likely hood of being accused of harrassment...). Most importantly is gives a victim of cyber-bullying a sense of empowerment with the "I do not accept this message" setting. Parents can also set a password.
TECHNOLOGY DID NOT CREATE THE PROBLEM OF CYBER-BULLYING. PEOPLE DID.
