Recognizing and Preventing Cyberbullying During National Bullying Prevention Month
In a perfect world, our schools would be safe and supportive places where students could learn and grow. Unfortunately, we face the reality that bullying remains an issue that has intensified since the COVID-19 lockdowns. During National Bullying Prevention Month, we want to highlight the impact of these negative behaviors and share the steps we're taking at Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) to identify and interrupt them early to ensure all our students can learn free from distraction and harm.
Troubling Trends Emerge
The rise in student misbehavior and bullying emerges both anecdotally and in surveys conducted by leading educational organizations. For example, a 2022 report from the National Center for Educational Statistics found that 56 percent of public schools saw increased classroom disruptions from student misconduct during the 2021-2022 school year. Furthermore, a Boys and Girls Club survey found that 40 percent of kids reported being bullied on school grounds in the past year.
Concerns about conditions in traditional brick-and-mortar schools also appear in polling data Oregon Charter Academy collects as part of the enrollment process. During the 2022-2023 school year, 40% of our students enrolled because "ORCA provides a safe (social, physical and emotional safety) environment." This was the top reason caregivers cited, among other reasons such as "my child needs a flexible school option" and "I am not satisfied with my local district."
ORCA's online model makes us uniquely suited to serve students who need greater social, physical and emotional safety. Our students pursue their studies in the familiar surroundings of their homes while interacting with teachers and peers online. This arrangement enables students who've struggled in traditional classroom settings to avoid past challenges and focus instead on learning. However, bullying can still permeate online spaces.
Recognizing Signs of Cyberbullying
While ORCA students are less likely to experience traditional school bullying or student misbehavior, we still have developed systems to monitor, prevent and respond to cyberbullying. Our teachers actively monitor the chat and comments during Live Classes. We also have built-in technology that monitors potential bullying and alerts teachers with concerns. Additionally, we've created an anonymous reporting system for unsafe situations that's become one of our most effective tools. Anyone can report a problem via text, phone call, or email, and they'll receive an immediate response from an ORCA staff member.
However, our staff and systems can't be everywhere, and students may become victims of cyberbullying outside of the school environment. That's why caregivers must watch for signs their student is being bullied online and move swiftly to help. Here are a few behaviors to be aware of:
Depression
Anxiety
Anger or fear
Changes in their grades
Avoiding friends
Hesitation to use computers or devices
If you discover that someone is bullying your student online, there are a few steps you can take. First, document the activity, and then notify your school's principal and guidance counselor if the bully is a fellow student. If you believe the bullying violated the law, you should also consider notifying local authorities.
ORCA’s Stomp Out Bullying Campaign
ORCA is committed to eliminating bullying in our community. Every year, we dedicate time to sharing grade-appropriate anti-bullying information and activities with all of our students. Our campaign resources come from the national nonprofit STOMP Out Bullying and are meant to help guide students through the nuances of ending bullying, such as:
How to be aware and recognize bullying.
How to seek out support by telling an adult about the bullying.
How to safely stand up for others when bullying happens.
We'll also undertake several schoolwide awareness efforts, including encouraging our students to #BlueUp by wearing blue (the recognized color for bullying awareness) during Live Classes in October and hosting assemblies to raise awareness about the issue of bullying.
We Can Eliminate Bullying in Our Schools
Bullying is a complex problem with no easy solution. At ORCA, we are focusing our efforts on educating students about the impacts of bullying to build a kinder, more inclusive community. However, we can't control everything that happens online, so caretakers must get involved to watch out for signs their students are being bullied and take action to protect them from further harm. Hopefully, our work and the efforts of national organizations like STOMP Out Bullying can make these destructive behaviors a thing of the past.
Learn More About ORCA
If you’re concerned about your child’s social, physical or emotional safety in their current school and would like to learn more about ORCA and the benefits of a virtual public charter school, join us for a virtual information session to connect with ORCA staff and preview our learning platform.