Educate Children and Parents Against Cyberbullying

The recent cases of young people filmed or photographed without their knowledge in Quebec have revived the debate on the abuses of the use of social networks and cell phones among adolescents. According to experts, the solution lies above all in prevention and awareness.

In a sixth year class at Académie Lafontaine in Saint-Jérôme, students learn to behave well on social networks. And young people seem very aware of the risks associated with Facebook or Instagram.

I like to share what I'm doing with my friends, but it's private. "

We should think about it before putting information on social networks. "

Teacher Kathleen Godard explains that more and more students have an account on one or more social networks. It is therefore essential for the latter to help them better determine their limits and know what personal information they are willing to share.

Above all, she wishes to educate and raise awareness "on the positive, but also negative" sides of these platforms.

Recent cases of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying events that occurred a few weeks ago in Quebec have proven the teacher right.

In November, in Alma, three students were suspended for having filmed comrades without their knowledge in the showers. In Bécancour, it is an 11-year-old student who was filmed naked by a classmate.

Study shows schools are taking the issue seriously. According to Laval University's Well-being at School and Violence Prevention Research Chair, more than 80% of establishments already offer workshops on web safety.

In 2017, 7.5% of high school students confided that they had received humiliating messages over the Internet. Among elementary school students, 6% said they had received hurtful messages over cell phones.

“Our studies report that there have been fewer cyber aggression events - compared to 2013 - which does not detract from the seriousness of the events when they occur. It is linked to interpersonal relationships between young people. But we could talk about relationships between adults, because that happens too. We should not expect that it will disappear, ”insists the holder of the Chair, Claire Beaumont.

She specifies in particular that the heart of the problem is not in the technologies, but rather concerns the notion of respect for others.

Train parents

Nancy Gaudreau, professor of special education at Laval University, says that education must be done at school, but also at home.

Students can be encouraged to express themselves on events that may have occurred. At home, it may be more to supervise. Who are my children's social media friends? What use do they make of it? "

The president of the Federation of Quebec Parents' Committees, Corinne Payne, wants to offer training to parents.

They will always be further ahead than us. "

However, she believes that parents must be supported, informed and trained on all these new technologies, in order to better understand and help their children in their use of various social networks. Free antivirus install for your device to protect your pc.