Student Bullying
Student Bullying
Before the introduction of the Internet, student bullying was primarily an in-person problem. The student who was being bullied could generally go to their home to seek protection. However, now student bullying follows students right into their own home when they open their computers, check their text messages or log-into their social media accounts and find the bully has sent a mean spirited email and text message and posted a hateful note about the student on his or her “wall.” This means a student getting bullied has no reprieve from the bullying and it can make the experience more intense.
Higher ed institutions such as, grades K-12, colleges and universities, need to take a stand against student bullying. To create a higher ed environment where student bullying is not tolerated, universities and colleges need to:
Educate: Students need to be educated on what bullying is. Higher ed institutions also need to be educated on what to do if they feel like they have been bullied and what will happen if they bully another student.
Investigate: University and college officials must investigate every possible case of student bullying that comes to the attention of the administrators. This investigation should take an account from all parties involved, as well as any potential witnesses.
Take Action: If it is found that a case of student bullying is occurring at the the school, university or college administrators need to take action. Administrators should act quickly and firmly. Every case of student bullying should be dealt with according to the school’s discipline policy.
Follow Up: A university official needs to follow up with the student who was being bullied at certain intervals to ensure the bullying has stopped. This could be done by a professor or another staff member, but it is the school’s responsibility to make sure the student bullying is stopped for good.
Though bullying is not a new problem in the higher ed environment, it is a problem that is manifesting in new ways. Universities and colleges need to treat student bullying seriously by following four main steps: educate, investigate, take action and follow-up.
Learn more about Bullying Prevention for Higher Education.
