Launch of cyberspace solution to cyberbullies
Launch of cyberspace solution to cyberbullies
A teaching union has kicked off a major UK-wide campaign to combat 'cyberbullying' of teachers. NASUWT has create a new online resource where teachers can support the campaign and tell their cyberbullying story. Wristbands and phone charms with the message 'Stop cyberbullying' are being distributed. It says every school across the UK has received posters and flyers urging support for the campaign. Chris Keates, general secretary of NASUWT, said: 'Whilst the government's focus has understandably been on pupils, the workforce must not be forgotten. Teachers need protection too.' She added: 'Mobile phones capture videos and pictures of teachers at work. Distorted images are transferred to the phones of other pupils across the school or onto the internet. Emails are used to abuse, harass and insult. But possibly the most destructive development is the introduction and growth in popularity of websites such as YouTube, Bebo and RateMyTeacher. These extend the opportunities for pupils to humiliate teachers. They actively encourage the abuse of school staff.' She said as a consequence of the ridicule and false and malicious allegations endured by teachers 'self-esteem and sometimes their health is seriously affected. Publicly available, derogatory remarks about teachers can damage career progression. There is clear evidence that employers are trawling these sites to find out information about current and prospective employees. Whilst the government is to be congratulated on issuing guidance on the cyberbullying of pupils, there is a need to tackle specifically, in discrete guidance, the cyberbullying of teachers.'
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