Anti Cyber-Bullying Policy

Rationale

Young people have fully embraced the use of information and communication technologies to maintain contact with friends and make new ones. They send emails, create their own websites, post intimate personal news in blogs (online interactive diaries), send text messages and images via cell phones, message each other through IMs (instant messages), chat in chatrooms, post to discussion boards, and seek out new friends in teen community sites.

While most interactions are positive, there are increasing reports of these technologies being used to harass and intimidate others. This has become known as cyber bullying.

Policy

Balwyn High School is committed to developing a safe environment where the students act respectfully and positively towards each other in acceptable and non-threatening ways. Balwyn High School provides its own email system and both staff and students are expected to use this system.

Procedure

Staff at Balwyn High School have the responsibility to ensure that:

• all forms of cyber bullying are prohibited at Balwyn High School
• staff are aware of cyber bullying and are able to identify and look for signs of occurrence among the students
• students are aware of the consequences of cyber bullying
• a code of conduct is in use for technology, including computers and mobile phones, whilst on the school premises
• the appropriate programs in tutorials are implemented. The use of "Cybernetrix" and "Wise up to IT" software programs have been created to educate students about safe cyber communication and usage
• all cases of cyber bullying are reported to an Assistant Principal and responded to promptly
• there is supervision of technology that is effective for monitoring and deterring cyber bullying

Students at Balwyn High School have a responsibility to ensure that they:

• do not participate in cyber bullying
• do not use mobile phones, cameras or other digital devices to record audio and visual material that is not authorised as part of the school curriculum program
• do not breach the privacy of students, staff and members of the school community through any unauthorised recording or filming
• do not disseminate inappropriate information through digital media or other means
• report incidents of cyber bullying to a member of staff
• advise students being victimised by cyber bullying to talk to an adult
• offer to speak to an adult on behalf of the student who is being victimised by cyber bullying

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