Most of the commentaries written about cyberbullying relate to pupils and students using email and other digital media to hurt other pupils and students. But it is also a case that many teachers suffer from the same sort of abuse.

A survey conducted last month by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and Teacher Support Network found that one in seven respondents had experienced cyberbullying.

The results also suggested that school policies need to be significantly improved, as 62 per cent said that either their school didn’t have a policy to address cyberbullying or they were unaware of one.

Of a similar study conducted by SWGfL in 2008, it found that over 1 in 3 South West schools (primary and secondary) had experienced issues related to teachers being victims of cyberbullying.

Now the Dept for Children, Schools and Families has produced a set of guidelines for Local Authorities and governing bodies setting out the support that staff have a right to expect. This can be downloaded from Teachernet (www.teachernet.gov.uk) at http://tinyurl.com/d5mha8. Alternatively, the printed booklet is available free for schools from DCSF publications.

The document was written with the support of SWGfL, along with the main school employee unions and professional associations.
SWGfL e-safety Officer, David Wright said: “We have dealt with so many incidents involving teachers and school staff who have had awful comments posted on the Internet about them. This new document helpfully summaries the issues and suggests how best to protect yourself and how to respond to and report such incidents.”

The document also outlines the role of the whole school in addressing these issues, emphasising, for example, that it is vital that schools have meaningful and effective policies.
SWGfL works with a number of partners to collectively tackle rising safety issues of which cyberbullying is just one. On this issue, SWGfL works closely with Childnet International and the Anti Bullying Alliance.

If you have any concerns about cyberbullying then you should review the new DCSF document and talk with the designated person within your school.


Published: 28/04/2009 08:55:00