Schools’ warning over online bullying
9:14am Monday 6th February 2012 in News
PARENTS are being urged to monitor their children’s use of Facebook, after arguments on the social networking website have started spilling over into school.
Senior teachers at St Joseph’s RC High School in Horwich say they have to deal with disputes from Facebook almost daily.
It comes as Bolton Council revealed it was developing a strategy to deal with young people’s use of social networking websites.
Other schools across the borough also teach young people how to use social networks, but their use in all Bolton schools, on computers and mobile phones, is banned.
The letter signed by St Joseph’s Year Seven learning manager Helen Horridge, states that issues arising from Facebook outside of school is taking away “responsibility of ensuring your child is working to their full potential and achieving their targets”.
Headteacher Leo Conley, who stressed the letter had not been prompted by any specific issues, said: “We all recognise the benefits of social networking, but it can happen that exchanges on Facebook may get ‘out of hand’ and cause arguments.
“These may well be brought into school and staff have to deal with ‘fall-outs’ between pupils that may have been caused by such exchanges.”
Mr Conley said often a “tone” of a conversation can be misinterpreted, which can lead to disputes that may not have otherwise arisen.
He stressed social media was not causing a disruption in class.
He added: “Facebook exchanges can be read by many ‘friends’. If negative comments are made, other people that might have no direct involvement in the ‘dispute ‘can become involved.
“Parents monitoring how their child uses social networking and the internet in general is part of keeping their child safe — rather than ‘snooping’.”
This letter was sent to parents of Year Seven pupils because they “need to be aware of the school’s stance in this area”, but Mr Conley said they could be sent out to other year groups.
Facebook guidelines state users should not be under 13.
The letter stated: “The pupils whilst at home are using Facebook to contact each other, often causing arguments and disputes which then end up in school and I have to deal with.
“Please monitor you child’s use of Facebook to ensure the content of their conversations are not harmful to others or indeed that they are not receiving damaging content.”
Parents are directed to the school website highlighting its anti-cyber bullying policy.
A council spokesman said: “As a council we provide schools with guidance on developing social media policies and IT support with setting up filters to restrict access to websites while children and young people are using school equipment.
“We also share examples of best practice across schools, for example delivering assemblies on e-safety. We are developing an e-safety strategy and a policy which schools can use.”
Facebook insisted it responded “aggressively”
to reports of abuse and provided users with tools to report bullying.
A spokesman said: “Just as parents are always teaching and reminding kids how to cross the road safely, talking about internet safety should be just as important a lesson to learn. ”
Facebook has announced plans for a stock market flotation which some say could be worth up to $100 billion.
