Journal #8: Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Be Held Responsible for Cyberbullying? (NETS-T:4,5)

Bogacz, R., & Gordillo, M. (2011). Should schools be responsible for cyberbullying?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Be_Held_Responsible_for_Cyberbullying.aspx  

With the freedom and ease of the internet and technology today, cyberbullying has become a prominent issue surrounding both home and school environments. Generally, the schools have been held responsible for bullying because it happens during school, but who is held responsible when the bullying moves from the home to school, and from computer to computer? The article, presents two viewpoints surrounding schools and cyberbullying. Renee Bogacz believes that schools should most definitely be held responsible for cyberbullying. Teachers and administrators must educate themselves, their students and their parents, about cyberbullying and then reinforce these ideas, insisting that all "educational stakeholders" must work together to stop cyberbullying. On the other hand, Miguel Gordillo believes that it is society and the families involved that should be held responsible for cyberbullying. He asserts that while the school can be held responsible for educating and teaching about cyberbullying, the root of the problems starts at home, and ultimately, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide a loving and healthy home life to deter students from cyberbullying.

Question 1: Considering the viewpoints presented in the article, whom do you think should be held responsible for cyberbullying? I believe, like Gordillo states, that bullying starts at home, but like Bogacz says, it affects the school environment. I don’t think that either party should be held completely responsible.  I think that educators should both inform and deal with issues surrounding cyberbullying but the real problem begins at home and it will take some major changes in society as a whole to prevent cyberbullying. 

Question 2: Do you think that restricting sites and keeping a close eye on students will prevent cyberbulling? I that if a child wants to or feels the need to bully, he/she will, no matter what.  As educators, I think it important that we educate rather than restrict.