Schools disciplining "Cyber-Bullying"

[Modernity has failed us]

I was watching a documentary on cyber-bullying last night and the mother of a victim said that the school should absolutely have the right to discipline their students if they partake in cyber-bullying off of school-property. Do you agree? Should schools be able to punish kids if they are bullying other kids, even if it's not happening at school?

Discuss.

[dead0man]

It really depends, but generally speaking, no.  If the bullying is illegal, it should be reported to the police if the school is the first to know of it.  The school my kids go to "loan" them laptops for each school year and we were specifically told that they (the school) MUST make sure the kids don't do the "cyber bully" thing on the school laptops as the school is liable.  But under normal circumstances, I don't see how the school could possibly be expected to provide any consistent protection from cyber bullying off of school grounds.

[Modernity has failed us]

It really depends, but generally speaking, no.  If the bullying is illegal, it should be reported to the police if the school is the first to know of it.  The school my kids go to "loan" them laptops for each school year and we were specifically told that they (the school) MUST make sure the kids don't do the "cyber bully" thing on the school laptops as the school is liable.  But under normal circumstances, I don't see how the school could possibly be expected to provide any consistent protection from cyber bullying off of school grounds.

Agreed.

[Napoleon]

Only sexual harassment or death threats. Otherwise kids need to stop being pussies. [/closethread]

[courts]

Only sexual harassment or death threats. Otherwise kids need to stop being pussies. [/closethread]

Reminds me about that story where people were claiming to be "cyber raped" on chat rooms.

[TJ in Oregon]

Only sexual harassment or death threats. Otherwise kids need to stop being pussies. [/closethread]

Napoleon, this may be the first and last time we ever agree on something.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I pretty much agree with dead0man. If cyber-bullying is being committed off of school grounds & not using school property, there's no real reason the school should concern itself with it more than anyone else.

[Napoleon]

Only sexual harassment or death threats. Otherwise kids need to stop being pussies. [/closethread]

Napoleon, this may be the first and last time we ever agree on something.

While I am glad we agree, I do find it ironic because these policies are direct descendants of Nixon and Reagan era appeals to the so-called Moral Majority. Essentially a core tenet of social conservatism/moralism co-opted by "Economic Justice" left wing types presumably because of two components, the first being a disdain for the New Left and the second being the warm, fuzzy feeling they get inside when having controls on free speech/personal decisions. Nonetheless,  we must do it for the children.

[nclib]

If it starts on school property (or other school function), then yes. Otherwise, no.

Basically, if someone secretly videotapes another student at school, and then posts it online for others to make fun of, then it is the school's responsibility to protect students from that.

[angus]

It really depends, but generally speaking, no.  If the bullying is illegal, it should be reported to the police if the school is the first to know of it.  The school my kids go to "loan" them laptops for each school year and we were specifically told that they (the school) MUST make sure the kids don't do the "cyber bully" thing on the school laptops as the school is liable.  But under normal circumstances, I don't see how the school could possibly be expected to provide any consistent protection from cyber bullying off of school grounds.

That sounds about right.  I'd add school-sponsored trips, contests, etc.

We cannot expect the state to act as parents-in-absentia.  If they're using school property, or on chaperoned school time, then that's one thing, but generally the school cannot be held responsible for, and should not take part in, persecuting or prosecuting students for any actions or speech.

[dead0man]

If it starts on school property (or other school function), then yes. Otherwise, no.

Basically, if someone secretly videotapes another student at school, and then posts it online for others to make fun of, then it is the school's responsibility to protect students from that.

How can the school do anything in that situation to stop it from happening?  It's "secret".

[nclib]

If it starts on school property (or other school function), then yes. Otherwise, no.

Basically, if someone secretly videotapes another student at school, and then posts it online for others to make fun of, then it is the school's responsibility to protect students from that.

How can the school do anything in that situation to stop it from happening?  It's "secret".

I meant if the victim (or ally) shows that the videotaping started at school, and tells the school, the school should discipline the bully.

[dead0man]

Sure, if/when the school finds out about it and it's clear that part of the "bullying" took place on campus, yes, then the school should take some responsibility.  But as I said before....

....under normal circumstances, I don't see how the school could possibly be expected to provide any consistent protection from cyber bullying off of school grounds.

[Simfan34]

I believe the school should certainly do something to help the victims of cyber bulling and punish the perpetrators. Such things will undoubtedly spill over on campus.

But I also believe in the past years there has been a massive decline in parental responsibility and the parents should be the ones to take action first. Unfortunately most would never believe that their "babies" could do such bad things, much less punish them for it.

[Fuzzybigfoot]

It really depends, but generally speaking, no.  If the bullying is illegal, it should be reported to the police if the school is the first to know of it.  The school my kids go to "loan" them laptops for each school year and we were specifically told that they (the school) MUST make sure the kids don't do the "cyber bully" thing on the school laptops as the school is liable.  But under normal circumstances, I don't see how the school could possibly be expected to provide any consistent protection from cyber bullying off of school grounds.

That sounds about right.  I'd add school-sponsored trips, contests, etc.

We cannot expect the state to act as parents-in-absentia.  If they're using school property, or on chaperoned school time, then that's one thing, but generally the school cannot be held responsible for, and should not take part in, persecuting or prosecuting students for any actions or speech.

^^^^^^^

[phk]

Depends on the nature of it. Especially if it's with students who go to the same skool.