Bullying; it’s emotional, man

by Ken Corish

Ken is the Online Safety Manager at SWGfL, regular presenter at key online safety events and part of the team behind the award-winning 360 degree safe tool, as well as resources such as Online Compass and the Digital Literacy curriculum. 

Anti-Bullying Week 2018 is 12th to 16th November. Show your support and join the conversation with #ChooseRespect. Find out more from the Anti-Bullying Alliance. 

What is cyberbullying?

Turn to the topic of bullying, whether it’s at a conference or a dinner party, and people’s perspectives vary widely; but most are drawn from their own experiences. It’s a very personal thing to discuss.  Many people can relate to times in their lives when they may have felt isolated; targeted; at the receiving end of something unpleasant. 

This subjective response to the subject of bullying can also influence how bullying is defined, and it varies widely. The Directorate General EU (Internal Policies) research in November 2017 “Cyberbullying Among People” concluded that while there is no single internationally agreed upon definition of cyberbullying, according to the literature the following elements characterise cyberbullying: the use of electronic or digital means; the intention to cause harm; an imbalance of power between the victims and the perpetrators; a sense of anonymity and lack of accountability of abusers as well as the publicity of actions. 

Only fourteen EU Member States provide an official definition of bullying online. Indeed bullying here in the UK is not a crime as such: only when its actions cut across existing criminal legislation.

So given it is such a personal and emotional area in which to build effective strategies for reduction and response, it seems logical that those strategies are built on understanding the social and emotional dynamics that occur around bullying situations. How to navigate them not only for your own well-being but for those of your friends and society in general.

We often ask children and young people to “Stand up to Bullying!” but seldom equip them to do so.

The ENABLE anti-bullying programme from the Director General Justice of the European Union does just that.

Social and emotional

ENABLE (European Network Against Bullying in Learning and Leisure Environments) aims to tackle bullying in a holistic way, helping young people exercise their fundamental rights in the home, school, class and community (i.e. peer group).

Using a unique approach that combines social and emotional learning (SEL) with Peer Support, the ENABLE team strives to provide school staff with the skills, knowledge and confidence that can help them establish an effective student Peer Support scheme in their schools and develop their students’ social and emotional skills.

You can find the ENABLE resources at enable.eun.org and a full set of introductory webinars at http://enable.eun.org/webinars.

Further resources

PSHE toolkit

As part of our PSHE toolkit we created the module entitled “Gone too far”. This lesson and accompanying film explore the issue of cyberbullying with an LGBT focus. The activities in the Toolkit help students to define cyberbullying and recognise examples of it. One of the key focuses of the lesson plans is exploring when actions have crossed the line. In addition to this there is clear signposting to advice and support on how to respond to and deal with issues of cyberbullying.

Let’s fight it together

Let’s fight it together is Childnet’s award-winning film that is designed to help sensitise people to the hurt and pain that can be caused by cyberbullying. The film shows ways in which cyberbullying can occur, who it involves, how it can affect different people, and what can be done to prevent it and respond to it.

Hot topic

Our hot topic for teachers gives examples of advice you can give to pupils about cyberbullying, as well as top tips on what you as a professional can do to help pupils dealing with cyberbullying issues.

The POSH Helpline

The Professionals Online Safety Helpline is a helpline designed for professionals who work with young people. The helpline is open Monday – Friday 10am to 4pm and can be reached by emailing helpline@saferinternet.org.uk or by phoning 0344 381 4772. 

BBC Own It

BBC Own It have created a great collection of resources looking at online bullying for Anti-Bullying week, including videos, quizzes, and advice.

This article was originally posted on swgfl.org.uk.

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Anti-bullying week 2018 – get involved today

Anti-Bullying Week is taking place this week, running from the 12^th – 16^th November. The Anti-Bullying Alliance, who coordinate the week, are asking schools and youth groups to get involved and ‘Choose Respect’.

Ways to get involved today

Join the conversation at #AntiBullyingWeek #ChooseRespect #OddSocks #StopSpeakSupport and tagging @ABAonline

What else you can do

The Anti-Bullying Alliance have created these resources which can schools can use:

• Primary School Pack – including an assembly, lesson plan and cross-curricular activity ideas
• Secondary School Pack – which encourage children to evaluate their own views regarding respect
• Stop Speak Support – School Pack – for Key Stages 3 and 4
• Odd Socks Day School Pack – to celebrate individuality!
• Restorative practice and Anti-Bullying Week – to help teachers and pupils take a different approach to anti-bullying.

Resources to look at cyberbullying

PSHE toolkit

As part of our PSHE toolkit we created the module entitled “Gone too far”. This lesson and accompanying film explore the issue of cyberbullying with an LGBT focus. The activities in the Toolkit help students to define cyberbullying and recognise examples of it. One of the key focuses of the lesson plans is exploring when actions have crossed the line. In addition to this there is clear signposting to advice and support on how to respond to and deal with issues of cyberbullying.

Let’s fight it together

Let’s fight it together is Childnet’s award-winning film that is designed to help sensitise people to the hurt and pain that can be caused by cyberbullying. The film shows ways in which cyberbullying can occur, who it involves, how it can affect different people, and what can be done to prevent it and respond to it.

Hot topic

Our hot topic for teachers gives examples of advice you can give to pupils about cyberbullying, as well as top tips on what you as a professional can do to help pupils dealing with cyberbullying issues.

The POSH Helpline

The Professionals Online Safety Helpline is a helpline designed for professionals who work with young people. The helpline is open Monday – Friday 10am to 4pm and can be reached by emailing helpline@saferinternet.org.uk or by phoning 0344 381 4772. 

BBC Own It

BBC Own It have created a great collection of resources looking at online bullying for Anti-Bullying week, including videos, quizzes, and advice.

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UK Safer Internet Centre Respond to Department for Education Consultation on Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education

The Department for Education’s consultation on Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education has now closed. Looking for views on their draft statutory guidance, as well as some other aspects of how this will be implemented, the Department wanted contributions on how this guidance could be most useful for schools.

As the UK Safer Internet Centre, we welcome the statutory guidance to support schools to deliver Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education. Much has changed since 2000 when the statutory guidance was last updated. The world that young people exist in now is very different, with new technology and online services playing a huge role in this shift. For example, a service such as Facebook, which many young people may consider to be used by ‘older’ people, began in 2004.

We submitted our consultation response which you can read in full.

What does this guidance mean for schools?

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 placed a duty on the Secretary of State for Education to make the new subjects of Relationships Education in primary schools and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in secondary schools compulsory through regulations.

Now this consultation has closed, the Department for Education will assess the consultation responses and hopes to present the final draft guidance in 2019 to parliament. This will then be finalised once the regulations have been passed.

The guidance will provide information on what schools should do and sets out the legal duties with which schools must comply when teaching Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education. Unless otherwise specified, ‘school’ means all schools, whether maintained, non-maintained or independent schools, including academies and free schools, non-maintained special schools, maintained special schools and alternative provision, including pupil referral units.

Why is RSE Important?

As one 17 year old girl said in a Project deSHAME focus group, run by Childnet:

“[We need to learn what] “sexual harassment’ really is – in regard to being online. Everyone gets comments about being ‘hot’ and what would be classed as sexual comments, but no one really knows where the limit is; no one is aware of what classes as harassment – comments, photos – revolving around sexualising bodies. Then once we can identify it, we can then be taught how to deal with it.”

In our consultation response, we stated that it is important that schools are empowered to be able to deliver practical advice and guidance, and are given resources and training to be able to do so.

We want positive language throughout the guidance to encourage schools to look at the opportunities that such an education can deliver.

We also think it may be helpful to include guidance on why effective RSE is important and beneficial for the school community. This could include:

• Early identification and possible intervention where there is a safeguarding or child protection concern.
• Young people having healthier, more consensual relationships based on their informed consent and choice.
• Supported by a majority of parents, strengthening the home-school partnership.
• Ensuring that young people know about the law and how it applies to them so that they can take responsibility, recognise abuse and seek help if their own, or someone else’s, safety or wellbeing is threatened.

Support for staff to deliver high-quality RSE

Our recommendation was for the Department for Education to include a statement about the importance of school leadership to support teachers to deliver high-quality RSE. Highlighted in South West Grid for Learning’s latest Annual Assessment of School Online Safety Policy and Practice derived from 12,000 schools using 360 degree safe, the capability of staff is consistently one of the weakest aspects of schools’ wider online safety provision. If staff lack confidence in this area, the quality of education will be poor. It is key that all school leadership provides their staff with the space and time to discuss approaches, areas of concern or lack of knowledge.

To further inform our resource development, Childnet carried out a survey of teachers and school leaders to capture their views and good practice for the teaching of online safety within RSE, PSHE and healthy relationships. We had 103 responses, mostly from England, from both primary and secondary schools, and from SLT, Designated Safeguarding Leads, and teachers (including  PSHE/pastoral and computing teachers).

The responses also covered identified areas for improvement, the challenges teachers face when delivering and embedding online safety within RSE and PSHE, confidence levels in teaching particular topics, as well as what support they need. Teaching resources and teacher training, for example, are specifically highlighted as responses that would help, and online pornography was the topic teachers felt least confident teaching.

It’s important that teachers are given practical and easy-to use resources to deliver effective, high quality RSE education.

Involving young people

We are also very keen that the guidance encourages schools to consult and engage with their student body and not just parents. It is essential that schools are aware of the concerns, worries and issues young people are facing. They are also at the forefront of understanding the changes in technology and how this impacts their friendships and relationships. In order to address these issues effectively, their experiences should be taken into account.

A Barnardo’s and YouGov poll last year found that three-quarters of 11-15 year olds believed that they would be safer if they had age-appropriate RSE in school, with 26% saying they didn’t know where to get appropriate information about sex education and healthy relationships.

One 11 year old girl who we spoke to in a Childnet focus group said:

“Puberty kicks in and you start to look for things”

Resources teachers can use now

We have a range of resources that can help you start to incorporate the issues of RSE into education in your school, these include:

• Safer Internet Day 2019 Education Packs: These packs look at the issues surrounding consent online, tailored for use with young people aged 3-18, with specific guidance to help educators talk about these issues and handle any disclosures made.
• SID2018 Education Packs: These packs look at the issues surrounding the role of technology in young people’s relationships.
• Crossing the line PSHE toolkit:  A practical online safety PSHE toolkit with films and lesson plans to explore online issues such as sexting, cyberbullying, peer pressure, and self-esteem, with pupils aged 11-14 years old.
• So you got naked online: from South West Grid for Learning this resource offers children, young people and parents advice and strategies to support the issues resulting from sexting incidents.
• Coming soon - Project deSHAME: This project will create practical resources which aim to increase reporting of online sexual harassment among minors and improve multi-sector cooperation in preventing and responding to this behaviour.
• Coming soon - PSHE Toolkit: Our brand new PSHE toolkit will cover the topics of online pornography, healthy relationships online and body image online.
• Professionals Online Safety Helpline: This helpline is for those working with children in the UK who have an online safety concern. 

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New resources for 3-18 year olds looking at consent online for Safer Internet Day!

The UK Safer Internet Centre has created a range of new educational resources to support educators for Safer Internet Day 2019 which is taking place on Tuesday, 5th February

Free to download, these engaging resources are tailored for 3-18 year olds and looks at the topic of consent online, and the ways that we ask for, give and receive permission on the internet.

Safer Internet Day reached 45% of young people in the UK last year. Following the day, our survey of teachers found that 95% of those who used the Education Packs said that the day encouraged conversations about the safe use of the internet between teachers and pupils, with 41% saying it led to disclosures of potential online safeguarding issues.

The Education Packs were used by professionals working with young people across the country, with educators saying that they helped their pupils to engage in online safety:

‘'Children continued their discussions of their own online experiences during playtimes and in class time, as well as talking to their parents/carers about it. (…) the resources were great and it is good to have a whole-school focus for the day.’’ – Primary  school teacher

What is covered in the Education Packs?

Tailored for each key stage, the Education Packs include lesson plans, assemblies, posters, and other quick activities to engage young people in Safer Internet Day.  

There are 4 education packs for young people, a pack for parents and carers, and a pack to support educators, all of which are available in English and Welsh. Each pack has its own age appropriate content and theme:

A pack for 3-7s

The pack for 3-7s includes a lesson plan for 3-5s and for 5-7s using interactive and imaginative activities that explore the concept of the internet and our choices, as well as a brand new story which tells the tale of two friends who work together to make good choices online.

A pack for 7-11s

The pack for 7-11s explores what consent looks like online, with a creative drama activity to help children understand what it feels like to be offered a choice.

A pack for 11-14s

The pack for 11-14s is filled with discussion starters, practical activities, and real-life examples. This pack explores the difference between active and passive consent and the situations online where each is used.

A pack for 14-18s

The pack for 14-18s provides videos that give top tips about online consent, and lots of activities to look at the tricky issue of consent online whether it be between friends or with companies and their use of our data. 

A pack for parents and carers

The pack for parents and carers includes activities, conversation starters and information to help parents and carers talk to their children about how to navigate the issue of consent in a digital age in a safe, responsible and respectful way.

The creation of these education packs was supported by Oath, and the translation of the packs was completed with support from the Welsh Government.

Information for educators delivering Safer Internet Day activities

The pack for educators includes ideas for getting the most out of the Safer Internet Day packs and supporting young people with the issue of consent in a digital age, as well as advice on handling disclosures about online risk. This pack includes:

• A guide to celebrating Safer Internet Day in your education setting
• Information about handling disclosures and sensitive topics
• Advice for talking to the press about your Safer Internet Day activities
• Information about how you can spread the word of Safer Internet Day even further

Each of the Education Packs also has an accompanying SID TV educational film, which is designed to complement the lessons and learning objective in each pack. These will be launching very soon!

You can help make Safer Internet Day 2019 the biggest yet!

Last year Safer Internet Day reached 45% of young people in the UK, and 30% of UK parents, and this year we want to reach even more! To help us do this, visit www.saferinternetday.org.uk where you will be able to:

• Register your school/organisation as a Safer Internet Day supporter
• Download the campaign toolkit to show your school’s support
• Download the Safer Internet Day Education Packs 

To find out the latest Safer Internet Day news:

• Follow the UK Safer Internet Centre on Twitter @UK_SIC
• Follow UK Safer Internet Centre on Instagram @UK_SIC

 
FAQs

What is Safer Internet Day?

What is the theme?

Where can I find the packs?

How can I get involved in social media?

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UKSIC partners announced as members of the UKCIS board

Last week the Government announced the full list of organisations that will sit on the Executive Board of the UK Council for Internet Safety (formerly the UK Council for Child Internet Safety).

The UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) has an expanded scope to improve online safety for everyone in the UK.

The role of the board

UK Safer Internet Centre partners Childnet and the IWF were announced as members of the executive board which also includes organisations such as Apple, the BBC, the Children’s Commissioner, Facebook, and Google

The role of UKCIS is to harness the expertise of these organisations, allowing them to collaborate and coordinate a UK wide approach to online safety.

Earlier in 2018 the UK Government committed to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online, and the UKCIS board will play a role in ensuring this happens.

Priority areas of focus for UKCIS will include;

• cyberbullying and sexual exploitation
• radicalisation and extremism
• violence against women and girls
• hate crime and hate speech
• forms of discrimination against groups protected under the Equality Act, for example on the basis of disability or race.

Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries said:

‘Only through collaborative action will the UK be the safest place to be online. By bringing together a wealth of expertise from a wide range of fields, UKCIS can be an example to the world on how we can work together to face the challenges of the digital revolution in an effective and responsible way.’

Will Gardner, Childnet CEO and director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, said:

‘We are delighted that ​Childnet has been announced as a member of the UKCIS Executive Board, and to be able to represent the UK Safer Internet Centre and the voice of young people in the UK. By being a part of the UKCIS board and collaborating with the other members, we hope we can inspire positive change online.’

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What is TikTok? Looking at the latest lip-syncing app

TikTok – which used to be called Musical.ly, is a social networking app that young people can use to generate and share their own short videos and lip sync to popular audio clips. The app allows users to create and upload videos, remix existing videos using in-built editing tools, and also to view and comment on videos created by other users.

TikTok is very popular among young people as it allows them to become content creators and to design their own videos to the songs that they love.

What features does TikTok have?                     

On TikTok users can create their own videos where they lip-sync along to popular songs and audio clips. To do this users select the song they want to use and then create their own video. Once their video is created users can then share it with their followers or all other users on the app.

In the changeover from Musical.ly to TikTok there have been some new features released, these include new creative filters that can be put on videos and a ‘for you’ section on the homepage  where users can discover, react to and interact with others people videos. Users also caption their videos using hashtag to help others to find their content, and also to find content that has been created by others.

On TikTok there is also the ability to livestream via LiveMe - Live Video Chat, where users can directly interact with online audiences through chat and live video.

The app puts some focus on themed challenges, encouraging users to make videos of themselves doing things like editing two videos together or performing trending dance moves.

There are also Tikok ‘celebrities’ who regularly get over 100,000 views on their videos. These ‘celebrities’ can start new challenges or trends on the app, and for some users it may be aspirational to gain a similar level of fame and influence.

Things to be aware of

Because the app allows users to create videos using current and popular music, some of the songs contain explicit swearing, sexual content and references that may be inappropriate for younger users.

As users create their own content some videos posted in the app can contain inappropriate clothing or gestures. According to reviews on Common Sense Media some parents have also reported seeing videos containing sexually suggestive or even explicit material.

Users also have the ability to interact and chat to other users of the app through the comment section under videos and the private messaging function. Private messages can only be sent between users who are follow each other or are ‘friends’ and the messaging function can also be turned off entirely.

Making a report

To report a user you need to visit their profile page, click on the three dots at the top right , click report, and fill out the reporting forms.

The reasons that you are able to give for the report are: self-injury, harassment or bullying, nudity or pornography, violence or harm. You can also block a user by clicking on the three dots at the top of their profile.

To report a video you need to click on the share icon on the right hand side, then select the report option and fill out the reporting forms.

As above, the reasons that you able to give for the report are: self-injury, harassment or bullying, nudity or pornography, violence or harm.

To report a comment you need to double tap on the comment you wish to report, click on report and select the reason that you are making the report.

You can see TikTok’s guide to reporting inappropriate content here and you can see what breaks TikTok’s community guidelines here.

Privacy settings

There are a number of privacy settings available in TikTok. Profiles are automatically set to public, so that any content you post can be seen by anyone within the app. You can select the privacy settings most applicable to you and your child by going to the settings part of the user page and clicking on the three dots at the top of your profile, then clicking on ‘privacy and safety’.

Once here you will be able to select who can find your profile, comment on your posts, react to your videos and also who can send you direct messages.

It is important to remember that setting an account to private does nothing to delete or restrict users who have already followed your account. To delete a follower or ‘fan’ you need to:

1. Go to your profile page
2. Tap on “Fans”
3. Choose the fan you wish to remove and go to user’s profile page
4. Tap on the top right corner of the profile page
5. Select “Block”

Parental controls in the app

TikTok have recently launched a new setting called ‘Digital Well-Being’ which allows parents to set screen time limits with the app (which is then password locked).

There is also a Restricted Mode which can help to filter out inappropriate content. By turning on restricted mode, TikTok say that the app will limit the appearance of videos that ‘may not be appropriate for all audiences’. This feature also disable the user from being able to start their own live streams.

However, it is important to remember that no filter is ever 100% effective on its own and any controls should only be used if they work for you and your family.

Age requirements on TikTok

TikTok has a minimum user age of 13, and requires users to declare their date of birth and confirm a phone number upon installing the app. Any users that previously had a Musical.ly account would have had their accounts automatically transferred into a TikTok account, which means any detail they had put about themselves whilst setting up their account will remain the same.

Although TikTok is very popular among a lot of younger users, there are also a large number of adult users who also create videos on the app, and who engage and interact with the videos that others share publically. 

You can read more about the reason that apps have age restriction in our blog.

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#ChooseRespect this Anti-Bullying Week

Anti-Bullying Week is taking place this month, running from the 12^th – 16^th November. The Anti-Bullying Alliance, who coordinate the week, are asking schools and youth groups to get involved and celebrate this year’s theme of ‘Choose Respect’.

Anti-Bullying Week is a great time for educational settings to help children and young people to understand some of the key messages from the Anti-Bullying Alliance, these include:

• The definition of respect
• That bullying is a behaviour choice
• That we can respectfully disagree with each other  i.e. we don’t have to be best friends or always agree with each other but we do have to respect each other
• That we all need to choose to respect each other, both face to face and online

Cyberbullying Day – Stop Speak Support

For the first time, Anti Bullying Week will be holding a Cyberbullying Day on Thursday 15^th November.

At The UK Safer Internet Centre, we know that technology has amazing things to offer everyone, it allows children and young people to learn, play, create and have fun. Unfortunately, we also know that technology can facilitate and amplify bullying in new ways.

We are really pleased that Stop Speak Support Day will help to raise awareness about cyberbullying and the impact it can have.

You can also see our different Hot Topics for young people, teachers and for parents and carers on cyberbullying which provides helpful information and guidance on how to approach the issue.

How can your school or organisation get involved?

There are lots of fun and creative ways schools and other educational settings can get involved in the week. If you are a school or organisation you can sign up as a supporter and receive a certificate to display.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance have created these resources which can schools can use:

• Primary School Pack – including an assembly, lesson plan and cross-curricular activity ideas
• Secondary School Pack – which encourage children to evaluate their own views regarding respect
• Stop Speak Support – School Pack – for Key Stages 3 and 4
• Odd Socks Day School Pack – to celebrate individuality!
• Restorative practice and Anti-Bullying Week – to help teachers and pupils take a different approach to anti-bullying.

 For more information visit the website and join the conversation at #AntiBullyingWeek #ChooseRespect #OddSocks #StopSpeakSupport

This blog post was originally posted on www.childnet.com

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