Social media has transformed society in ways that people could not have imagined, influencing political, social, economic and cultural life (Reed 2012). It is a major game changer in education, with social media being used as a manner in which to bully both fellow peers and teachers. Bullying is defined as a “serious problem characterised by aggressive behaviour distinguished by unequal power and the intention to cause physical, social or emotional harm to others” (Glasner 2010, p.537). I can see how these social media initiatives -Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr- open way to cyber bullying, as they give power through anonymity and there aren’t many laws or authority holding individuals responsible for their words or actions. The identity politics involved in this revolution is the shifting identity towards unity and conformity, with the social networking sites creating familial identity through shared goals. In particular, I draw on the example of famous celebrities and social commentators such as Charlotte Dawson who was on the receiving end of taunts and graphic bullying on Twitter. Many who abused her may not have had a direct opinion or knowledge of her, but the trend was to target her because others were doing the same.
Thus, social media has eroded the boundary between private and public life through therapeutic culture (Furedi 2003). The potential to “create wired cultural interactions” has been facilitated by the rise in psychological stresses experienced by students in schools (Reed 2012). These stresses include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, ADHD and Multiple Personality Disorders. Talk show hosts such as Oprah and Dr.Phil promote healing through publicly sharing private wounds (Furedi 2003). I think the line between seeking help and therapy through online social media has blurred into students venting their anger, anxiety and fear into bullying people of higher authority or vulnerability. Marszalek (2012) reported that schools have culturally evolved into places of “character assassination, threats and spying” with 99.6% of educators experience at least one of the forty two bullying behaviours. I can identify that there has been a clear shift in perspective on what a bully is.
For me, growing up, it was the school yard bully, big and boisterous, bored and relentless. In schools today, it could be anyone, so long as they have access to social media and a computer, or phone for that matter. How can teachers attempt to cease bullying between students, when they are now the target of malicious rumors and damaging material on Facebook (Stokes & Simos 2012)? Therapeutic culture should be encouraged through counseling, mediation and negotiation techniques in the curriculum to try and stifle students running off with their emotions in a forum with no boundaries and anonymity.
Resources
Glasner, A.T 2010, ‘On the front lines: Educating teachers about bullying and prevention methods’, Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 537-541
Furedi, F 2003, ‘Get off that couch’, The Guardian, 9 October, accessed 10 October 2012, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003/oct/09/health.mentalhealth>.
Marszalek, J 2012, ‘Workplace bullying an everyday occurrence in schools, says teachers’, Herald Sun, 24 September, accessed 10 October 2012, <http://www.news.com.au/business/worklife/workplace-bullying-an-everyday-occurrence-in-schools-say-teachers/story-e6frfm9r-1226479817321>.
Reed, T.V 2012, Cultural Politics, America, accessed 17 October 2012, < http://culturalpolitics.net/digital_cultures>.
Stokes, K & Simos, M 2012, ‘South Australian schools warned as incidence of cyber bullying of teachers skyrockets’, Adelaide Now, 20 September, accessed 10 October 2012, < http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/education/south-australian-schools-warned-as-incidence-of-cyber-bullying-of-teachers-skyrockets/story-fn3o6nna-1226478414345>.
Hi Nat,
ReplyDeleteyou have raised lost of interesting point in your blog, its really got me thinking about the power of social media and the negative and positive impact it can have in schools. My main concern as a preservice teacher lies more with the negative ways in which it is used, particular the rise in cyber bulling. As an adult i feel confident i can deal with the verbal onslaught from any students that lies ahead but then again i'm sure Charlotte Dawson thought the same thing.
Used in the wrong way social media can act as a weapon, perhaps its time to raise the age limit ?? clearly there is a growing problem with kids using sites such as facebook, twitter and myspace to through insults and embarrass one and other. Could this be due to their lack of maturity and understanding of the social responsibilities that come with participating in social media. Laws are in place to restrict children from driving and drinking until a certain age, for not only there welfare but for the safety of the masses, maybe its time social media was considered along the same lines.