The View

A Word from the Principal

Over the last couple of weeks a number of our students have been “stalked” online by outside people.  They are utilising fake profiles and creating ways in which to infiltrate our students online world.  As a College, we have again reminded our students about privacy settings and I also remind parents to revisit this on a regular basis.  It is also timely to revisit cyberbullying in light of the Tasmanian Government’s Criminal Code Amendment Bill (Bullying) 2019 to make the act of cyberbullying a criminal act.

Bullying is when the following actions happen over a period of time and it is hard for a young person to stop the actions from occurring. These actions include but are not limited to:

  • being ignored, left out on purpose, or not allowed to join in
  • being made afraid of getting hurt
  • being hit, kicked or pushed around
  • being made fun of and teased in a mean and hurtful way
  • having lies or stories told about them to make other kids not like them

These actions exclude young people and isolate them from their peers.  They are generally a “power play” and result in humiliation, hurt and much more. Often there are others who see what is happening and are referred to as ‘bystanders’.  They feel uncomfortable about doing anything about the bullying as they are often frightened they too will be targeted.

 

The new Criminal Code Amendment is specifically targeting Cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that has arisen from the widespread use of electronic devices and social media platforms. Bullying, such as cyberbullying, can permeate almost any social environment, and can be perpetrated or experienced by a range of people.  Bullying has lasting effects on individuals and their families and serious bullying can result in tragic personal consequences for victims, such as long term mental health impacts, self-harm and psychological damage.

The Criminal Code Amendment (Bullying) Bill 2019 amends section 192 of the Criminal Code by:

  • expanding the fault elements relating to the state of mind of the accused to include an intention to cause another person extreme humiliation or self-harm;
  • expanding the conduct elements to include:
    • actions of making threats and/or abusive or offensive acts;
    • acting in another way that could reasonably be expected to cause the other person extreme humiliation or physical or mental harm (including self-harm); and
  • requiring that the Director of Public Prosecutions is to consent to a prosecution for the amended offence under section 192.

The amendments will target people who use the internet with the intention to cause serious physical or mental harm to others. (Justice.tas.gov.au, 2019)

 

As an education facility we have iPads as our devices.  At the commencement of every year, the College has our students sign the appropriate use of ICT document and ask that parents and carers co-sign so that we are all aware that our devices are used for education purposes.  Whilst at the College, we are able to monitor our students search requests and also their access to hotspot devices in attempts to circumvent the College’s protection, in our duty to care for them.  As vigilant as the College can be whilst the students are present, we cannot monitor a student’s activity overnight and on weekends.  It is my experience that most cyberbullying occurs after students leave our grounds.  It is important that parents do what they can to be familiar with the cyber space their children inhabit.  A number of helpful ideas from the Kidpower (kidpower.org)  website are listed below:

1: Set a good example

2. Stay connected with your children’s worlds online and everywhere else

3. Make a commitment with young people to be good digital citizens

4. Discuss what cyberbullying is and the harm it does with older children and teens

5. Be clear about what happens if young people misuse their technology privileges

6. Teach kids not to do anything online that they wouldn’t want the world to see

7. Teach young people how to take charge of their safety and well being, online and everywhere else

8. Provide support if a child is cyberbullied

9. Practice how to speak up to stop cyberbullying

10. Teach kids to get adult help anytime they see unsafe behaviour online, while texting, or in person. (Irene van der Zande, 2019)

 

Whilst the College will do what it can to educate your daughters on the harm of bullying, what they can do to speak up when being bullied and about safe and unsafe online behaviour, it is up to the parents to stay connected with their child’s online world.  Being a “friend” on their social media platforms, talking with them as you drive or cook dinner, being present to them are a great place to start.

 

As the Government goes about putting consequences in place for the wrongful act of cyberbullying, the College maintains it’s zero tolerance to behaviours which are not respectful.

 

Supporting your child to manage the risks on social media means they can safely enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. Our ICT Department is only too happy to assist in protecting your digital footprint and the attached document offers specific steps to keep your digital security safe on social media, specifically Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. 

https://downloads.mountcarmel.tas.edu.au/…/Privacy_Settings…

Thought of the week:

One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.

― Michael J. Fox

 

Mrs Fiona Nolan

Principal

Bibliography

Justice.tas.gov.au (2019). Criminal Code Amendment (Bullying) Bill 2019. [online] Available at: https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation/closed-community-consultations2/criminal-code-amendment-bullying-bill-2019 [Accessed 25 Aug. 2019].

Irene van der Zande, K. (2019). 10 Actions to Prevent and Stop Cyberbullying | Kidpower International. [online] Kidpower International. Available at: https://www.kidpower.org/library/article/prevent-cyberbullying/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwIPrBRCJARIsAFlVT89ll2cRYjt5LNdvvO-wkr58ewFCinj1qLA8ZkHxwFVrLGc_JD_-SmcaAv3zEALw_wcB [Accessed 25 Aug. 2019].