Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Schools

Schools urged to curtail cyberbullying

A panel recommends additions to the Pasco student code of conduct in order to clamp down on those who use the Internet to bully others.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published January 11, 2006

LAND O'LAKES - Bullies of cyberspace, be warned.

At a Tuesday morning meeting, members of the code of student conduct committee recommended that the Pasco school district take a stand against cyberbullying.

That could include bullying using instant messaging, text messaging, or posting messages about people in blogs or on the Internet.

"Pasco has taken a stand that it really is our responsibility that our students feel safe," the district's safe and drug-free schools grant specialist Sherri Dunham said.

The cyberbullying subcommittee made a series of recommendations, including adding a parent corner to the district's Web site with resources and information on cyberbullying, creating an informational pamphlet, and adding specific student guidelines that address cyberbullying.

The district hopes to recognize cyberbullying as part of bullying, a violation of student conduct that may result in "suspension, referral to law enforcement agencies, and even expulsion," according to the current code.

But whether the district can actually discipline a student for cyberbullying actions taken off-campus and not at school functions remains unclear. "Does the school have a right to step in if a student says, "I fear for my safety?' " Dunham said. "That's what we're exploring now."

The bullying provisions of the code of student conduct were added for the current academic year. It defines bullying as "an intentional, unwanted and unprovoked hurtful verbal and/or physical action(s) which results in the victim feeling oppressed (stress, injury, discomfort) or threatened at any school site or school board sponsored activity or event."

It specifically cites various types of bullying, including physical, verbal, emotional (psychological) or sexual bullying.

"There's no mention of cyber," Dunham said.

However, anticensorship advocates question whether there should be.

"What kids do on their own home computers, I think that the school has very questionable authority over that," said Joan Bertin, executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship based in New York.

Bertin said that regulations against cyberbullying, and any time a school regulates what students can say, might raise First Amendment problems depending on how the policies are implemented.

School Board attorney Dennis Alfonso agreed.

"It's one of those tough areas to deal with," he said.

Alfonso said he will be reviewing the recommendations, which won't be completed until the committee's next meeting in February. If approved, they would take effect for the 2006-07 school year.

Still, some Internet activists applauded Pasco's initiative.

Nancy Willard, the executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, based in Oregon, said cyberbullying has come to the attention of school officials because "it's getting really bad."

"There's been an explosion of use of these (online) communities," Willard said. "And in an environment where adults aren't paying attention, there's a lot of activity that is creating significant emotional harm."

And, Willard said, the schools have a right to be concerned when it leads to "school avoidance or failure."

Mary Spicuzza covers education in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6241 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6241. Her e-mail address is mspicuzza@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 11, 2006, 00:57:02]