Tag Archives: cyber-bullying

Anti-bullying bill: Did NJ go too far?

Posted on by
3

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 Reporter Chris Jansing posed the question on NBC Nightly News last Wednesday (Sept, 7, 2011).  Her report focused on the implementation of New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, signed into law January 6, 2011, by Gov. Chris Christie.

Both houses of the New Jersey legislature passed the anti-bullying bill in November 2010, with strong bipartisan support and wide margins.  Driven by the highly publicized case of homophobic cyber-bullying, resulting in the suicide of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, the law is considered the strongest, most comprehensive anti-bullying legislation passed so far in any of the 50 states, as governments attempt to address  social problems with stringent laws.

Several sources included in Jansing’s report cited the unintended consequence of adding strain on school systems imposed by the new anti-bullying bill — systems already dealing with a host of social problems in addition to violence and bullying in schools.  Specifically, they pointed to the additional training requirements, the appointment of anti-bullying specialists in each school and the manadatory requirement to report all incidents of bullying.  [pullquote]Is zero tolerance blocking flexibility right up front?[/pullquote]
The issue not addressed so far is whether yet another “Zero-Tolerance” policy is the wisest approach to social problems.  In its laudable, swift passage of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, did the legislators have to impose a zero-tolerance policy, which inherently diminishes the ability of teachers and administrators to use wisdom and discretion in incidents which are unique and complex?

Is the zero-tolerance approach to social problems just another example of “get tough on crime” laws which provide emotional satisfaction to voters and policymakers, but which bring a host of unintended results and court orders?  One need look no further than the crisis in prison overcrowding, which can be traced directly to the passage of “get tough” policies such as “three strikes and you’re out,” or mandatory sentences for specific offenses.

Certainly, bullying in schools and communities, cyber-bullying and violence of all kinds demand swift and wise responses.  But the question should be asked:  why not address child welfare through a range of options — including mediation, peer counseling, anti-bullying curricula such as this and this,  and books — as part of broader focus on creating what Dr. Tom Cavanagh has called a “culture of care” in schools?

Raising these issues about zero tolerance policies is not intended to detract from the value of the landmark legislation now being implemented in New Jersey.  I applaud this bold and comprehensive effort to address the range of social problems posed by bullying, harassment and violence system-wide. In fact, maybe these actions in New Jersey will play a role in “helping seat-of-the-pants peacemakers see they are not alone.”

Summer Camp Counseling Ain’t What it Used to Be

Posted on by
Reply

There was a time in the ancient past when the biggest dangers of summer camp meant mosquito  bites, chiggers, lots of swimming and conoeing, stupid handcrafts, mystery food and fun with friends.

It still means all that, but today’s camp counselors, who are often on the forefront of peacemaking and conflict resolution, now have to watch out for cyber-bullying.  So many campers today have access to cell phones and text messaging, the issue of cyber-bullying has come to the attention of risk managers, the insurance people who stand to lose big bucks if abuse occurs to kids at summer camp.

Many summer camps are operated by churches for their youth groups.  In today’s environment, camp counselors have to look beyond first aid and the usual adolescent adventure and experimentation.  Now, they also have to be concerned about cyber-bullying.  Unless camps totally prohibit cell phones, their campers are often able to send bullying messages for and about their fellow campers.

The threat has caught the attention of insurers who attempt to protect against this liability.

As a recent posting pointed out:
afety issues are clearly evolving at church summer camps operated on Church property, contracted out to others onsite or at distant locations. Increasingly, the physical and emotional dangers children and teens face on school grounds are traveling seamlessly to camp, aided by technology and changing patterns in group behavior among young people. Learn how you can keep the youth in your care safe.

This message is from an agency which insures the Episcopal Church.  But, given the millions of dollars the Roman Catholic Church has had to divert from critical social programs simply to pay for egregious past abuse and neglect, it’s understandable that insurers of camps across the religious spectrum would voice their concern.

 

Serving on the front lines with youth today entails much more that it did just a few years ago.  Bullying and abuse happens digitally, perhaps as much as it does in person.

Counselors and parents will benefit from reading the guidelines at this site.

Will your kids’ camp be on the alert for cyber-bullying?