While December brings happiness and joy to many, this holiday For students who face bullying at school and online, this season may not seem to be cause for celebration.Even one of the holiday favorite TV classics, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has a bullying storyline because rudolph is different from his peers.
While Rudolph’s story has a happy ending, most bullying experiences can’t be addressed on a one-hour television show.they insist on being student strugglee Address the daily challenges associated with growing up in a social hierarchy.
Bullying has always existed as long as humans have social hierarchies. All children should learn ways to deal with bullying, especially in more confrontational settings like the echo chamber platforms of social media.It’s also important because educators are seeing bullying increased As students return to school after the pandemic lockdown.
But there is good news.
Educators Can Help Students Make Better Choices
For all the problems social media creates, there are solution. By understanding and teaching helpful strategies to students and educators, we can confront the traumatic experiences children face in refreshing and purposeful ways, helping them to be better grounded and successful.
Schools can use their role as learning facilitators to help students learn to manage their online presence and deal with the inevitable challenges that social media issues bring to their school day.
Let’s look at the challenges, and more importantly, some solutions you can teach your kids to apply and use right away when they experience online bullying.
online disinhibition effect
scientists call it disinhibition It’s the perception that people think they’re hiding in anonymity and can move about freely. This leads criminals to act in ways they would not take personally because they believe it will be the least costly for them. This perpetuates dangerous behavior online’flamingThe result could be harm to the target, and perpetrators think they can turn the behavior on or off as quickly as a light switch.
They are wrong.
Online disinhibition effects lead to many polarizing and harmful behaviors on social media. When individuals feel they can act unchecked online, they endanger others and themselves by making their behavior worse as they enter the danger zone of online misconduct.
educating children’s awareness
Show students that they are not incognito and that misbehavior can hurt them. This helps build awareness and discourages an overly arrogant attitude that can lead to punishment later with more serious consequences.
One of the most effective ways is to share many universities and employers Check social media, even old or forgotten accounts.almost 70% of admissions officers Says looking at a potential student’s social media can help differentiate accepted or rejected students. Ask how they would feel if they worked hard and got good grades, only to be rejected because of some bad moments documented online?Instead, students can learn to use social media Help instead of hurt.
For younger students, taking the time to show them the harmful effects that bullying can have can hopefully change their impressionable minds.explain how bullying leads to Poor academic performance and low attendance. It can also get them suspended or prevent them from making friends. Share this with students that may help prevent bullying or help students lprofit from mistakes before it’s too late.
benign disinhibition
Benign disinhibition is an interesting way to use social media to initiate a positive social media experience. These involve active, supportive and watchful groups who help each other anonymously. They provide a safe and confidential haven for seeking support.research shows Nurturing such networks induces self-disclosure and prosocial behaviorbecause of the positive response from individuals to this anonymity area and online support.
These groups are searchable online. Reaching One offers vulnerable children a healthier way to engage. These benefits mirror the many positive outcomes of anonymous, in-person support groups.
Benign disinhibition is a contrasting antidote to disinhibition, which benefits children. It makes people in need willing to ask for help and open up to others. When there is online access to practical supportstudents are often better able to express themselves, allowing them to feel heard and supported in a non-judgmental way.
comparison is the happy thief
Many well-known personalities, such as singer Kesha, tackle the comparison trap by Expose the real version of yourself online. They are closing the fantasy gap of the perfect character that students think they will never achieve. Famous male role models can contribute, such as actor Ryan Reynolds, can also provide support for young adults and teens. It’s nice to see celebrities share their vulnerabilities so that other people can be okay with their imperfections.
Singers Lizzo and Beyoncé both inadvertently used the ableist slur in recent new songs, and many fans reached out to them on social media in protest. Lizzo – spreading the message of inclusivity – apologies, Talk about your feelings online and changed the lyrics. beyoncé agrees Change her lyrics.
Sharing these examples, along with those of popular icons among student age groups, is a powerful tool for reinforcing positive online experiences in which they feel better about themselves.
Sharing these and other strategies with educators and students at your school can empower underrepresented individuals to stand up and be their best selves. It can help bad actors realize they need to refrain from offending behavior. With the help of these tools, school communities are transformed pragmatically, helping all children. Everyone can learn from the benefits of increasing your online social media presence and eliminating online bullying. After all, reindeer games are more fun when everyone is on an equal footing, working together as a team.
Michael Gaskell, Ed.D., is the author of a new book, Radical Headmaster, and senior principal in New Jersey, currently at Hammarskjöld Elementary School in East Brunswick.
The opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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