College Counsellor

Cyberbullying and Social Media is a focus for Student Wellbeing in Term 3.

The Internet - For many people in the world today, it is hard to imagine a life without it. Invented as a way to share information and solve problems rapidly, some parents might argue that it’s a source of more troubles than solutions for their children.

Reachout.com tells us that teenagers place a lot of value in the feedback they receive on social media [1]. 

Social media is important as:

• Self-expression.
• A mechanism for staying in touch with friends. 
• It provides social validation. 

Technology, particularly as it pertains to the online world, has developed faster than our ability to keep up with governance. And when you ask me to airdrop some pictures, keep my snap streak going, or join you in Apex Legends it becomes apparent how easy it is to fall behind. As embedded into our lives technology and social media have become, and how truly astounding it connects us as people, we wouldn’t be criticised for asking, but at what cost?

Cyber-bullying is always going to be present. Cyberbullying can take many forms, including posting mean comments or messages, excluding or ignoring someone, tricking or humiliating them through fake accounts, or sharing a photo or video that will make them feel bad. Threatening to share an intimate image without the consent of the person in it, such as a naked selfie, is called image-based abuse.

According to esafety research [2], one in five Australians aged 8 to 17 years reported negative online experiences, and equally, one in five young people also admitted to behaving in a negative way to a peer online. Negative online behaviour is being labelled as fluid – this means someone may be the receiver of negative behaviour for a period, and soon enough, they will then engage in the same behaviour.

Teenagers don’t really refer to cyberbullying according to research – this is a bit of an ‘adult’ term and doesn’t resonate. You will more typically hear about ‘friendship drama’ or being ‘flooded’.  Online-life and In-Real-Life are enmeshed, and you may need to clarify which is which, but for teens the effect is equally as impactful. 

It is interesting to note that cyber-bullying by definition includes single instances of abuse, because the fact that it occurs online means it may be ‘repeated’ through sharing. 

It’s easy to focus on the negativity around social media but what stands out to me is that research indicated that positive behaviour is often the norm. Most Australian teens are “active in helping build positive and inclusive online relationships”. There are many benefits to engaging online and for the average teen, they are trying to keep it that way. [2]

In Term 3 students will have the opportunity to learn more about cyberbullying and navigating social media. 

Ongoing, our “Wellbeing Wednesday’ sessions, during homecare, are focusing on social media. Students will engage in meaningful lessons and activities relating to social media with topics such as:

• Boundary setting on social media
• Online communities
• Privacy on social media
• Social media is like a tug-of-war
• Taming social media use
• The pros and cons of social media
• Things to stop doing online
• Upstanders on social media

If you or someone you know experiences cyber-bullying, take a look at the below guidance for how to respond.  Most importantly, ask questions and seek advice – it is not something that you or your teen needs to respond to alone. 

[1] Self-esteem and social media - ReachOut Parents

[2] Cyberbullying | eSafety Commissioner

Geoff McLean

College Counsellor