Cybercop warns on bullying

By Kath Gannaway
THE rapid advance of communication technology has taken bullying to a new level … and there is no green wedge to protect Yarra Valley schools, students and parents from the impact.
Senior Constable Susan McLean of Victoria Police’s Cyber Safety Project spoke at Healesville Rotary Club last week telling members, teachers and parents, that cyber bullying, harassment and online safety was the number one issue which was compromising the safety of kids at schools.
Describing cyber bullying as “sustained, ongoing bullying or harassing behaviour that is facilitated by computer application or mobile phones”, Sen Const McLean said it was commonplace in primary and secondary schools.
“I’ve never found a school that hasn’t had issues with kids using phones or computers. I’ve had calls from places like Kerang, Swan Hill, Boort, Geelong … and I’ve had several calls since the meeting from schools seeking further advice.”
Sen Const McLean said cyber bullying was often harder to address because a lot of it happened at night. She said the effect could be underestimated.
“I think it is more insidious because with traditional bullying it’s left at the school gate but with technology that bullying is invited into the sanctuary of the home so the child has nowhere where they are safe,” she said.
“Normally it’s the school picking up the pieces of the distressed child or broken relationship. It is a matter of understanding the issue and making sure policies the schools have in place are all encompassing so all bullying behaviour can be dealt with whether it’s face to face or by technology.”
Sen Const McLean said the rate at which cyber bullying and other computer issues had emerged had put schools behind the game but that government and private educations systems were working to assist schools.
Healesville High School principal Tom Bege and the deputy principal of Mt Lilydale Mercy College, Michael Johnston, agreed that one of the important messages to come from the Rotary meeting was that students had better skills and a greater understanding of cyber-space and that parents and teachers needed to work closely to keep ahead of the game.
“It’s fair to say it’s an area of great uncertainty for parents as technology develops at a rapid rate. Unlike previous generations where knowledge was handed down to the young, cyber-space is different,” ,” Mr Johnston said.
“The children know more than we do.”
Mr Bege said the evening had reinforced the need for schools to be more aware of managing the risk associated with the use of the internet and mobile phones and of assessing and evaluating a whole-school approach to the issue.
“I think the important thing about our schools is that we develop skills that are transferable to the home. It’s about communication and collaboration with the kids and their needs to have those means of communication (mobile phones) with them,” he said.
Mr Bege said the issue was an important one that needed to be confronted by schools and the wider community. He thanked Rotary for its role in that process.
Parents and teachers will have another opportunity to learn about the issue at a Cybersafety Parent Forum at Mount Lilydale Mercy College on Thursday, 7 June. The forum is open to everyone but people need to register on 9237 1390.