School seminars to tackle cyberbullying

Tackling cyberbullying is no different to tackling the old-fashioned bully – and parents, teachers and students are now being reminded how best to face-up to what is becoming an increasing problem.

Cyberbullying is becoming a bigger problem because more and more people are using social media. This means that the bully now has access to people 24/7 and is able to reach right into the hearts of homes.

But one Galwayman is touring Galway city and county – and even further afield in the West of Ireland – spreading the word on how to keep the cyberbully at bay.

Internet Safety and Facing Up to Cyberbullying is the title of a series of presentation in schools being given by Brendan Smith this month.

The project is reaching out to students (both primary and second level), teachers and parents in three different presentations but all along similar lines.

Cyberbullying can occur on all types of social media from mobile phones to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

A few years ago Ask.fm was in the limelight when a 15 year old girl from the East coast of the country took her own life leaving a note saying she had been bullied on the Ask.fm social media site.

And this week the company behind Ask.fm announced plans to open an office in Ireland but Mr Smith warns students to stay away from sites where users can be anonymous.

“Because then you don’t know who you’re dealing with. Basically, I tell the parents to learn the terminology, get used to the technology and be able to understand what their children are talking about.

“I tell the students about respect and the importance of reporting anything that worries them about their usage of the Internet or social media. I do advice parents to safeguard devices. They do so for the family computer but forget about mobile phones and other devices.

“It is important to be aware of what social media their children are using and to keep the lines of communications open. You don’t have to be friends with your children on Facebook but you should know what it’s all about,” he says.

Mr Smith’s presentations give a brief overview of developing communication technologies, the laws governing harassment by electronic devices and guidelines on Internet safety for everyone.

“The end of innocence is happening younger and younger as children use more and more technology. It’s very easy for a child to stumble across pornography, racism or anti-female images or sites and they might be afraid to tell their parents. That’s why parents should keep the lines of communications open.

“Bullies try to isolate their victims and it’s the same with cyberbullying. I tell the children that we have all been bullied one way or another, that it can happen to celebrities and politicians and not to be afraid to face up to it, to report it and to support others if they know it’s happening to their friends.

“But it’s not all bad news, I also try to excite people about the wonder of science and I tell people to enjoy it but to be aware of its dangers too.”

Mr Smith works with the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at NUI Galway and he will be giving presentations at a number of schools in the city and county over the next two weeks.