The guidelines include steps that can be taken to prevent harassment viamobile phone or the internet as well as tips on dealing with problemswhen they arise. Among the steps advised are:
- include cyberbullying in mandatory anti-bullying policies
- ensure the curriculum teaches pupils about the risks of "new
communications technologies"
- set clear policies about mobile phone use in school
- work with the police to manage cyberbullying
The guidelines also recommend that schools regularly brief parents about"e-communication standards and practices".
John Carr, new technology adviser at children's charity NCH, said:"There's still a view that if (cyberbullying) happens at weekends or offschool premises, it has nothing to do with the school - but schools havea responsibility because it affects school life."
He added that while in the past children could escape school bullies by"closing the door behind them", cyberbullying was much more perniciousbecause there was no sanctuary.
NASUWT said teachers were also becoming the victims of cyberbullying bychildren. "We are receiving increasing reports of members being harassedand abused by pupils using the internet, emails and mobile phones," saidChris Keates, the teachers' union's general secretary.
- www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying
- See Research report, p17
