Cyber bullying is an increasingly large problem in schools across the country, and the Yorkton Film Festival and the Canadian Federation of University Women recently hosted an event to explore and discuss the issue. As part of the Open Cinema program, there was a screening of the short film Cyber Bullying, followed by a panel discussion on the subject.
Dennis Nesseth, teacher and councilor at the Yorkton Regional High School and Sierra Unick, Grade 9 student at the Yorkton Regional High School were part of the event. The panel took different perspectives on the problem, from the view of teachers, police and the student viewpoint, which Nesseth says is the most important perspective on the problem.
The key is education, Nesseth says, and he notes that online interaction is often a foreign world to many of the parents and people there to support the younger generation. The students themselves are much more knowledgeable about what is going on, but it's important for the parents to understand what is happening.
Unick adds that part of the problem is also that being online makes bullying easier, because it adds a level of anonymity that can allow some people to say things they would never dare in person. She says that the youth perspective is vital because it's the generation that is most engaged with technology as it is, and as a result also the generation that is more likely to be victims of cyber bullying as well as knowing the different forms it can take.
The problem is something that is dealt with across the city, and given that it's something made possible with new technology, it's also new territory for a lot of people.
"We deal with it on a fairly regular basis in school in Student Services... It's a new phenomenon, and it's a thing that we all deal with."
Nesseth says that the film itself is a great way to start discussion, as it touches on all of the important and relevant issues. He hopes that work with the Film Festival will continue, and that it will be possible to screen the film itself in the city's schools.
The Facts:
Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has had it happen more than once.
81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.
Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.
Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying.
Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.
