Digital citizenship

The challenges and opportunities of technology in today's interconnected world are constantly evolving. At CSCE, we are committed to teaching our students to be responsible, respectful, effective, and ethical users of online information and resources. We work to foster the skills of digital citizenship in each student so that they can learn to make smart choices--online and in life.

Social Media Bullying and Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, unlike “traditional” bullying, doesn’t just occur in the park or just outside of school. It occurs in a variety of venues and mediums in cyberspace and it occurs most often where children congregate.

As anyone, it is important to realize where cyberbullying occurs, since you can be there to either prevent it or take action if you see it occur.

Back when many students hung out in chat rooms, most of the cyberbullying reported took place in chat rooms. With the more recent changes in technology, the youth population has been drawn to social networking sites, like TikTok, and video sharing sites, like YouTube. 

As a result, there has been an increase in reports of cyberbullying on social networking sites and video sharing sites. In addition, instant messaging and texting appear to be common ways in which youth are harassing others.

Even newer than social networking, video sharing, texting and instant messaging is the appearance of cyberbullying in portable gaming devices, in 3-D virtual worlds and social gaming sites, and in newer interactive sites such as Formspring and ChatRoulette.

When  a student is suspected of or reported to be using electronic or digital  communications to engage in cyberbullying against other students or  staff, or to threaten district property, the investigation shall include  documentation of the activity, identification of the source, and  specific facts or circumstances that explain the impact or potential  impact on school activity, school attendance, or the targeted student's  educational performance. 

Students  shall be encouraged to save and print any messages sent to them that  they feel constitute cyberbullying and to notify a teacher, the  principal, or other employee so that the matter may be investigated. Any  student who engages in cyber-bullying on school premises, or off campus  in a manner that causes or is likely to cause a substantial disruption  of a school activity or school attendance, shall be subject to  discipline in accordance with district policies and regulations. If the  student is using a social networking site or service that has terms of  use that prohibit posting of harmful material, the Executive Director or  designee also may file a complaint with the Internet site or service to  have the material removed.

Note:  Penal Code 653.2 makes it a crime for a person to distribute personal  identity information electronically with the intent to cause harassment  by a third party and to threaten a person's safety or that of his/her  family (e.g., placing a person's picture or address online so that  he/she receives harassing messages). In addition, Penal Code 288.2 makes  it a crime to send a message to a minor if the message contains matter  that is sexual in nature with the intent of seducing the minor (i.e.,  sexting).

Additional Resources:

1. From Anti-Defamation League:
   1. The "Grown Folks" Guide to Popular Apps in Social Media, For Educators For Parents, Families, and Caregivers 
   2. NAVIGATING A DIGITAL WORLD Tips for Youth 
      1. English 
      2. Español NAVEGANDO EN UN MUNDO DIGITAL Consejos para los jóvenes 
2. From LearnSafe
   1. Where Does Cyberbullying Happen? 
3. From Pew Research Center 
   1. Teens, Technology and Friendships: Video games, social media and mobile phones play an integral role in how teens meet and interact with friends 
   2. A Majority of Teens Have Experienced Some Form of Cyberbullying
4. From a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: 
   1. Get Help Now 
   2. Facts About Bullying