DPS Conference tackles impact of social media and truancy in public schools

The changing world of social media has added a new and challenging dimension to the work of public school employees as more students become victims of cyberbullying and “sexting”.

Cyberbullying, “sexting” and truancy were some of the hot topics at PSEA’s annual Department of Pupil Services (DPS) conference in August. Cyberbullying occurs when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated or otherwise targeted by another child using the internet, digital technologies or mobile phones. “Sexting” is the act of sending explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between cell phones.

Discussions and presentations on the issue of truancy and dropout prevention was also an important topic for PSEA members because of the growing importance of how truancy negatively affects society and student achievement.

DPS represent more than 6,000 certified school counselors, school nurses, school dental hygienists, school psychologists and home and school visitors and school social professionals.

This year’s conference, which was more than doubled in attendance to 157 members, was appropriately named: Survivor! It’s a Jungle Out There! Helping Students Survive and Thrive.”

“Technology is impacting our work in the public schools in so many ways. One question is whose rights need to be protected? Is it the students, the parents, or the community? We need to establish perimeters and we need to educate our entire communities about how social media and technology is impacting our children,” said Maggie Beall, President of DPS Board. “We see a lot of children in our health rooms who are suffering from headaches and stomach aches that are the result of emotional issues. Technology is can be both a blessing and curse. It allows us to get information quickly, but we need to help our children learn how to harness it and redirect it for a positive use.”

Jasdeep Singh and Lynn Rice Scozzafava, members of the Connecticut Education Association, addressed PSEA members and challenged them to become aware of the dangers of cyerbullying and its impact on the students in our public schools.

“Cyberbullying can be 24/7 because it breaks all time barriers and there is no place to hide,” Singh said. “You would never consider leaving your children at home alone without teaching how to be safe, yet we allow them to be on the internet without protection. Cyberbullying is so insidious because it can be happening to your child while their parents are in the next room.”

The proliferation of social media sites has escalated the level and impact that bullies can inflict upon their victims because it lacks the face to face social rules and can happen at anytime, according to social media experts.

Singh said it was very important for all school workers and parents to recognize the dangers of cyberbullying and the emotional impact it has on children. Singh said that according to statistics, 58 percent of all students in grades 4-8 have suffered cyberbullying but have not told an adult about it.

Conservative estimates maintain that 5 percent of American children aged 7-16 are victims of cyberbullying each day, and cyberbullying victims are 68 percent more likely to idealize suicide. Friends and ex-friends make up 40 percent of all cyberbullies, according to the book, Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard.

Singh said that the modes of cyberbullying range from social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook to email and texting.

“Cyberbullying allows bullies to escape the social norms. They are emboldened by the lack of face to face social rules and the pressures of the internet,” Singh said. 

Singh encouraged PSEA members to go back their school districts and raise awareness about the growing issue of cyberbullying and to consider taking action such as making sure that their school districts have a cyberbullying policy and starting a an anonymous tip line for students to use.  He also recommended training for teachers, support staff and parents on the issue to raise awareness about this growing problem.