New! Stop digital bullying
Digital bullying is a large and growing problem. In the past, children who experienced bullying could have a refuge at home. Today, children with a mobile phone can be subjected to offensive behaviour anywhere, almost around the clock. Digital bullying is to a large extent an unsolved problem, but there are some guidelines and measures.
Who is responsible?
Does the school have responsibility for bullying that takes place on Facebook in the child’s free time? School staff may find this unreasonable and difficult to resolve. Responsibility is not clear-cut, but the school often does have a responsibility. Studies show that digital bullying is often an extension of the bullying the child is subjected to at school. If the digital bullying originates in social groups formed at school, then the school is responsible for stopping it.
What can the school do?
The school has a range of resources available for stopping bullying, and that includes digital bullying. They can make enquiries with Utdanningsdirektoratet (the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training), Statsforvalteren (the County Governor) and the providers of approved anti-bullying programmes. We will nevertheless mention some useful measures.
When digital bullying breaks out, the school can use the opportunity to build competence among pupils, staff and parents alike. We recommend the school programme Bruk Hue, which conveys to pupils the responsibility and risk involved in digital bullying. (The campaign’s old website has closed; the programme is run by Telenor — the school can search for “Bruk Hue” for the current offering.) Good resources are also available from Medietilsynet (the Norwegian Media Authority).
Many pupils are not aware of how hurtful digital bullying can be, or what criminal liability it can carry. Many parents know little about their children’s use of digital tools.
In individual cases the school can cooperate with the police. Digital bullying is a criminal offence and is taken seriously at many police stations. Bullying often leaves digital traces. To trace the origin of “anonymous bullying”, the matter must be reported to the police.
What can the family do?
If the child is subjected to digital bullying, the child needs help. It is worth reading up on what it involves; see resources from Læringsmiljøsenteret at UiS (the Norwegian Centre for Learning Environment) and Medietilsynet. If images or content need to be removed from the internet, slettmeg.no helps free of charge.
Try to establish cooperation with the school. Are several children subjected to the same thing? Can the problem be solved as a school environment problem, avoiding a tense situation with the school? That is often a better solution for the family and for the child.
If the child and the family do not get help, you can report the matter to the police. Many take digital bullying seriously. The media can also take an interest in digital bullying.
Read more under Legal remedies and Using the media.
Should mobile phones be banned at school?
Several schools have chosen to ban mobile phones during school hours. Banning mobile phones at school does not prevent digital bullying of children in their free time.
The internet and digital tools are important for children’s communication and learning. We are not sure that banning mobile phones is the right strategy. We in Foreningen Mobbing i Skolen (the Bullying in School Association) have not, however, taken an official position on this.