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Are you a Cyberbully.pdf | |
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Parry’s (2016) Cyberbullying Questionnaire is a self-assessment tool which students can take to determine if they commit actions that may be interpreted as cyberbullying. Any bullying process is based on an act(s) and a response. For example, some bullies justify their actions using words, such as “I’m just kidding. What I said should not have hurt you.” Many bullies have difficulties comprehending the fine line that exists between teasing and bullying as they cannot predict how the victims will respond. This questionnaire helps to clarify some of those misconceptions and to help students critically think how everyday actions and their intentions may be interpreted as cyberbullying under certain circumstances. On the questionnaire, one statement is, “Have you used bad language online?” (Parry, 2016). The majority of middle and high school students would agree to this statement; however, many students may not consider this action as cyberbullying. As a teacher, you should have discussions with your students about when swear words can be hurtful and used for malice? Also, when might they be acceptable among groups of friends? This questionnaire is by no means an exhaustive list of cyberbullying actions; it tends to focus on online internet behaviours more than other media, such as cell phones. Furthermore, while the statements tell the survey respondent that the listed actions are possible forms of cyberbullying, it does not inform them of how exactly “not telling someone who you really are and to ‘guess’” (Parry, 2016) is a form of cyberbullying. Finally, when giving this questionnaire, it may be wise not to include the points section at the bottom. For example, it is easy to accumulate 18 points (ie. cyberbully status), even if the actions were not meant to harm anyone. The point system may detract from the message above, regarding the fine line between joking and harassment.