• What is your technology inquiry question? 
  • What is the relationship of your topic to teaching and learning?
  • What are the pros, cons, and risks?
  • What are some of the strategies, best practices, and tips regarding your inquiry findings?

The topic our group covered is cyber bullying below is a link to our powerpoint

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CT42Ptc-Wsefv4nkKLMgTXXIWehWsIbou_FCTHApY8c/edit#slide=id.g29e756a8e29_1_0

The question posed was “What are the risks of improved social technologies” the answer is the development of bullying in the cyber space. We analyzed and developed a definition for cyberbullying and identified what it is and its effects. It is seen in a few forms these are the following:

And below are some of its effects and how they are manifested

We then elaborated on where it is

And finished with how we can deal with it

For more information I have provided the access to a great online resource that helps victims of cyber bulling, this site actually has a help line attached for 24hr access to helpful experts.

https://www.bullyingcanada.ca/

I also have included below a video explaining more about cyberbullying and how to prevent it.

The relationship of cyberbullying to teaching is clear as teachers will be a support outlet for their students and may be told that one of their students are struggling with the issue. This is why it is so important we educate ourselves and are experts on what the topic is and how to help victims. If we are aware of the available supports and some of the symptoms the victims are going through we we be much more fit to provide help and aid our students through the process of recovery to a bullying free life. No one should ever be bullied and as teachers we are the exact individuals who will know and be witnesses if youth are being treated unfairly, and it’s never acceptable for us to be bystanders to someone in a desperate situation.

My personal contribution to the project was a few slides that covered where it is and the details of the online space that differentiate “cyber” bullying from traditional face to face. The online atmosphere is a polarized space fraught with anonymity and lack of compassion. Not to mention things put into the online realm are there to stay generating a space in which “scars”, private information “never heal” remains publicly shared. Many can be easily blackmailed as there is a discrepancy in age online and more cunning elders can make youth easy targets to their harassment. Cat fishing has never been an issue before online social connections because in face to face encounters you can see the perpetrator but online their mask keeps their identity invisible for the entirety of the meeting.

One thing I learned that I believe has changed my perspective was the lack of consequence for perpetrators. Often the authorities are never able to track down individuals who commit these hate crimes and blackmailed victims would rather not go for help to avoid their private information being shared. This leaves a vast sea of hateful identities out there all waiting for their next victim, I just hope none of my students are ever one of those unfortunate victims. After learning this however I realized just how important it is I educate my students on staying safe online and always feeling comfortable to seek help, if and when they need it.