Bullying has taken on a new dimension in this digital age, but some are combating the dangerous effects of cyber bullying right in their own schools.
Three students at Bonny Eagle Middle School ”“ Monica Hunt, Kayla Mooers and Sarah Goff ”“ organized Support Week this school year, which took place in April, and students raised more than $200 for Counseling Services, Inc.’s Crisis Response Team while learning about the dangers of bullying.
Support Week consisted of a week of themed days where classmates were asked to participate in activities to raise awareness of bullying and its effects. Students wore specific colors on different days to show solidarity and then an “Express Yourself Day” was held to allow for individual expression through colorful and imaginative attire.
On the final day of the week, students each paid a dollar for the privilege of wearing a hat for the day to raise the money for CSI.
For some Bonny Eagle students, the devastation of bullying has been experienced first hand. A former student who was bullied committed suicide this school year after transferring to a different high school. Donating the money to the crisis response team was important, the girls said, because of the help and support the group had given students dealing with this death.
The girls also said they hope the week sent the message that bullying is not okay. They hope to make the event an annual occurrence and bring a version with them as they step up to Bonny Eagle High School.
Progress is also being made by educators, school administrators and legislators, but much of the issue is that cyber bullying is so widespread and takes place outside of school walls. Young people may not think they are cyber bullying by making mean comments on Facebook or Twitter, but many cross the line and are not held accountable.
The now-famous case of Phoebe Prince, an Irish immigrant who hanged herself in 2010 after months of being bullied by high school students in South Hadley, Mass. via text messages and Facebook has allowed for legal ramifications for those who cyber bully. Although some of the teens involved were sentenced to probation and community service, Prince paid the ultimate price with her life because she was bullied relentlessly by her peers. The loss of life in this case was completely unnecessary, and the students received a slap on the wrist.
In Maine, State Rep. Don Pilon, D-Saco, sponsored a bill to help prevent cyber bullying. Pilon’s bill, LD 980, would require school boards to adopt policies regarding cyber bullying and include a procedure to report offensive behavior to authorities. The bill would also make bullying a civil violation.
While important steps like tougher laws on cyber bullying are progressing, it is the grassroots efforts of those like Hunt, Mooers and Goff that will make the difference. It is important for young people to let their peers know that bullying is not acceptable ”“ whether it’s on a school property or not.
We applaud the bravery of these young women to say enough is enough and stand up for those who have been bullied. Schools throughout the state ”“ and the country ”“ should model Support Week by talking about cyber bullying and let them know what the real, tangible effects can be.
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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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