Understanding and Preventing Cyber Bullying

Hours: 24 / Access Length: 180 Days / Delivery: Online, Self-Paced

Course Overview:

In this course, you will complete a comprehensive exploration of bullying and cyberbullying dynamics, equipping you with insights and strategies to address these sensitive situations effectively. Through interactive activities and case studies, you'll develop greater understanding of gateway behaviors, understanding their significance in early detection and intervention. You'll navigate the complexities of digital environments, analyze their impact on bullying dynamics and develop strategies for recognition and response. By differentiating between bullying and cyberbullying, you'll see their interrelated effects and learn to apply the "Nine-Second Response" strategy to diffuse incidents. Additionally, you'll examine the role of bystanders, peers, educators, and parents in mitigating bullying, fostering a culture of support and accountability. By the end of the course, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate these challenges ethically, promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Students will:

• Identify and understand the concept of gateway behaviors in bullying.
• Explore the impact of digital environments on bullying dynamics.
• Develop strategies for recognizing and addressing subtle bullying behaviors.
• Analyze the prevalence and impact of bullying and cyberbullying.
• Differentiate between bullying and cyberbullying and their interrelated effects.
• Learn the "Nine-Second Response" strategy to address minor bullying incidents effectively.
• Distinguish between different responses to bullying based on the behavior's nature and context.
• Examine the role of bystanders in bullying dynamics and their potential to mitigate incidents.
• Understand the varied perceptions and actions of bystanders, witnesses, and peers in bullying contexts.
• Explore the dynamics between educators and parents in addressing bullying and cyberbullying.
• Understand parents' perceptions of bullying incidents and school responses.
• Develop strategies for effective communication and cooperation with parents to combat bullying.

Course Outline:

Lesson 1: The New Face of Bullying: Understanding “Gateway Behaviors”

This lesson focuses on identifying "Gateway Behaviors" to bullying, highlighting strategies for early detection and intervention in both offline and online environments. Through case studies and interactive activities, learners will understand the importance of addressing these behaviors to prevent bullying.

Lesson 2: How Common Are Bullying and Cyberbullying, Anyway?

This chapter is an in-depth exploration of bullying and cyberbullying, examining their frequency, the factors that influence their impact on individuals, and the importance of resilience. Through statistical analysis and case studies, you will learn to assess the severity of bullying incidents and devise effective support strategies.

Lesson 3: Why Do Children Bully and Cyberbully?

Gain insights into the complex motives behind bullying and cyberbullying, including the influence of digital technology on these behaviors. Through examining various perspectives, you will learn how to critically assess how changes in society and digital communication shape bullying dynamics, preparing them to navigate and address these issues effectively.

Lesson 4: How Bullying and Cyberbullying Interact: The Amplification of Conflict in Cyberspace

This lesson expands upon the complex relationship between bullying and cyberbullying, focusing on how digital communication transforms traditional bullying dynamics. You'll learn to recognize the unique aspects of cyberbullying, understand its psychological impacts, and explore effective strategies for navigating and mitigating conflict in digital spaces.

Lesson 5: New Times, New Troubles: Sexting, Self-Cyberbullying, and Other Risky Online Behaviors

This chapter dives into the consequences of sexting, self-cyberbullying, and online risks, detailing their root causes and impacts. You will learn to critically assess these behaviors, understand their psychological effects. You will be equipped with the understanding and tools to navigate these challenges, emphasizing ethical decision-making and digital citizenship.

Lesson 6: Responding Effectively to Bullying: The “Nine-Second Response” and Other Informal and Formal Strategies

Here you will gain insights into nuanced approaches for addressing bullying, focusing on the "Nine-Second Response" to minor incidents. This chapter equips you with strategies to discern and respond to bullying, emphasizing the importance of quick, informed reactions to maintain a positive school environment.

Lesson 7: Engaging Bystanders and Other Peers: A Developmental Approach to Cultivating Prosocial Behavior

This lesson covers the intricate roles of bystanders, witnesses, and peers in bullying scenarios, and offers a developmental way of promoting prosocial behavior. You will assess the complexities of bystander intervention and devise strategies for constructive engagement, aiming to shift the school culture towards collective accountability and support.

Lesson 8: Working with Parents: Shared Goals, Different Perspectives

This lesson shows the nuanced relationship between educators and parents in tackling bullying, with a focus on understanding each other's perspectives, enhancing communication, and fostering collaboration. You will gain greater understanding of parent-educator dynamics, offering strategies for joint efforts in creating a safe and supportive environment for students.

All necessary course materials are included.

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

• Cable, Fiber, DSL, or LEO Satellite (i.e. Starlink) internet with speeds of at least 10mb/sec download and 5mb/sec upload are recommended for the best experience.

NOTE: While cellular hotspots may allow access to our courses, users may experience connectivity issues by trying to access our learning management system.  This is due to the potential high download and upload latency of cellular connections.   Therefore, it is not recommended that students use a cellular hotspot as their primary way of accessing their courses.

Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 4 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher.  1920x1080 resolution is recommended for the best experience.
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone for Webinar or Live Online sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

• Windows 7 or higher.
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions
  

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is described in the above course outline.