The introduction of cellphones and laptops in our nation's schools has been lauded as a modern thrust into the education system by the People's Partnership Government, but these devices are being used as weapons of cyber bullying. President of the National Parent Teachers' Association (NPTA) Zena Ramatali said based on reports every other day a child is cyber bullied by other students.
"Based on our reports, cyber bullying is on the increase because every other day you are seeing something on-line.
"Students have received reports of threats on-line and via text messages from other students. "We also have students who know how to break into another student's account. In other instances they target other students by circulating sexually suggestive photos," Ramatali said. The problem, she said, stemmed from primary school since pupils were allowed to carry cellphones to school. Upon leaving the primary schools and entering into the secondary school system, the problem spiralled, Ramatali added.
National bullying policy
Calling on the Education Ministry to implement a bullying-prevention policy in schools throughout T&T, Ramatali warned that if the issue is not tackled immediately, cyber bullying could have far-reaching consequences, one of which could be suicide. Ramatali said principals, teachers and students must be aware of what is cyber bullying and its consequences. "Students need to understand exactly what they are doing and how schools could treat it. "Schools must act and not sweep reports under the carpet," Ramatali stressed. Saying cyber bullying must be dealt with on all fronts, she said it left long-lasting scars on a child's psyche.
"We have to implement measures to prevent students from being mean and harmful to other students because for some of them it is fun," Ramatali said. Apart from leaving psychological scars, Ramatali said cyber bullying also impacts negatively on society. "It could have far reaching consequences for a child entering the job market because it affects character. "The issue of cyber bullying has to do with a child's self worth," Ramatali said. While punitive measures can be implemented she said what must also be examined are the reasons for children becoming cyber bullies.
"Does it mean that something is happening to that child at home to make him want to bully someone else?" Ramatali questioned. Maintaining that the aim of the national policy was not to "keep students away from technology" Ramatali said the NPTA always supported Government's laptop initiative. She also called on the Education Ministry and parents to play a greater role in monitoring the use of the devices. "We believe it should be managed and used properly rather than making somebody else's life miserable or by torturing somebody. "Students must realise they have a civic responsibility as a young person and must work alongside with other."
Greater ties with the police
While life skills and teaching values in education were important Ramatali said what was urgently needed was greater ties with the police. "We want the police to look at what is happening once something is brought to the attention of the school. "Once something like the posting of threats is issued the police should come in," Ramatali urged. Asked if cyber bullying was prevalent particularly in troubled schools, Ramatali said it was a problem that was occurring "across the board". "There might be 'little incidents' in the so-called prestigious schools, but in the Government secondary schools some students see cyber bullying as 'macho,' or as 'fun' to hurt someone and as 'being in a certain gang'. "But it is not to say it is only happening in certain schools. There might be incidents happening in some schools that we would not hear about in order to maintain a good image of the school and to maintain the status quo."
Data on violent crimes at School for the year 2010 and the period January 1st - May 31st 2011
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Looking at the laws
Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh has admitted that there has been "some degree" of cyber bullying but said an examination of the law must first be performed before any policy could be implemented. "We understand there is some degree of it and we are looking at it. "But first we have to do an examination of the laws as it relates to cyber bullying then we can move forward and told talks with all stakeholders," Gopeesingh said. He said the issue of cellphones in schools was currently engaging the attention of his ministry since it was beginning to become a problem "of sorts".
"Cellphones are posing a problem and we have discussed it. "We have a task force on school violence. We are looking at fighting the 'disease' and not merely symptoms of school violence," Gopeesingh said.
President of the T&T Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA) Roustan Job described cyber bullying as a "phenomena" adding that it was cause for great concern. "We do not control the schools but, we need to sit with the Education Ministry to discuss ways of dealing with this because it is a fight we have on our hands. It is a challenge.
"We have to develop strategies and implement measures so that our children can make better use of their time and lives," Job said. He also levelled some blame on parents saying children were allowed to use their laptops without proper supervision and were being sent to school with expensive cellphones instead of "simple" ones as stipulated by the Education Ministry.
Facts
According to statistics compiled by the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch (CAPA) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service for the period January 1, 2010 to the same period this year, 79 crimes were reported to have occurred at various schools in the Southern Division. These included sexual offences, robbery, malicious wounding, assault by beating, fighting and indecent assault. This figure represented the highest out of the nine divisions. Central Division reported the second highest with a figure of 62 followed by the Northern Division with a tally of 53. Tobago recorded nine incidents, the lowest out of the nine divisions.
What is Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying has been defined as "when the Internet, cellphones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person". Cyber bullying could be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender, but it may also include threats, sexual remarks, pejorative labels (i.e. hate speech), ganging up on victims by making them the subject of ridicule in forums and by posting false statements as fact aimed at humiliation.
Cyber bullies may disclose victims' personal data (e.g. real name, address, or workplace/schools) at Web site or forums or may pose as the identity of a victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames or ridicules them. Some cyber bullies may also send threatening and harassing e-mails and instant messages to the victims, while other post rumours or gossip and instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target.
Signs of Cyber Bullying
If a child is being harassed or bullied on-line, he or she may:
• Be reluctant to use the computer or electronic device
• Avoid discussion about what they are doing on the computer, or other electronic device
• Look or appear nervous, anxious or jumpy when receiving an e-mail, IM or text message
• Display unusual anger, sadness, and depression after using the computer or electronic device
• Discuss revenge
• Exit or click out of whatever they are doing, if a person walks by
• Unexpectedly quits using the computer or electronic device
• Be having trouble sleeping or have other sleeping disturbances
• Show a decline in school homework or grades
• Have an unusual interest in self-harm or in suicide
• Exhibit unusual mood swings
• Feel unwell with headaches, upset stomach
• Become reclusive, anti-social and/or is losing friends
• Be unusually withdrawn or depressed
• Not want to be involved in family or school activities.
What the law says
Offences Against the Persons Act
Section 30 (a) "Harassment" of a person includes alarming the person or causing the person distress by engaging in a course of conduct such as-
(i) making visual recordings of, stopping or accosting the person
(ii) watching, loitering near or hindering or preventing access to or from the person's place of residence, workplace or any other place frequented by the person
(iii) entering property or interfering with property in the possession of the person
(iv) making contact with the person whether by gesture, directly or verbally, by telephone, computer post or in any other way
(v) giving offensive material to a person, or leaving it where it will be found by, given to, or brought to the attention of the person.
Section 30B (1)
A person who is accused of conduct which would constitute an offence under Section 30(a) and which causes the other person to fear that violence will be used against him, and the person whose course of conduct is in question knows or ought to know that his conduct will cause the other person to fear, commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for five years or on summary conviction, to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for six months.