Anti-Cyber Bullying Policy
Dubai National School is committed to provide a healthy, safe, positive learning environment for its students. The school provides modern technological devices and facilities to enhance students’ learning experience and is mindful of the potential misuse of these devices and facilities. The school recognizes the negative impact that bullying has on the learning environment which creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning.
Definition Of Cyber-Bullying
Cyber-bullying is an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual using electronic forms of contact repeatedly over time against a victim who cannot easily defend himself/herself.
By cyber-bullying, we mean bullying by electronic media:
- Bullying by texts or messages or calls on mobile phones and other electronic devices.
- The use of mobile phone cameras to cause distress, fear or humiliation.
- Posting threatening, abusive, defamatory or humiliating material on websites, to include blogs, personal websites, social networking sites.
- Using e-mail to message others.
- Hijacking/cloning e-mail accounts, stealing someone’s identity in order to harm them in some way.
- Making threatening, abusive, defamatory, or humiliating remarks in chat rooms and social networking sites.
- Using modern technologies to engage in the social exclusion of someone and in hate group recruitment.
- Engaging in cyber-stalking and the invading of privacy.
- Referring to your school in a negative or disparaging way on the Net.
Basic Rules To Follow
- Any student who uses a school-provided communication device (including a computer) or computer network (a) with the intent to intimidate, harass, or press another person, or (b) to use vulgar, obscene, profane, lewd, or foul language to communicate such harassment, or(c) to threaten an illegal or immoral act shall be subject to school disciplinary procedures.
- Any student who uses a personal communication device on school grounds or at a school related premises (a) with the intent to intimidate, harass, or press another person, or(b) to use vulgar, obscene, profane, lewd, or foul language to communicate such harassment, or(c) to threaten an illegal or immoral act shall be subject to school disciplinary procedures.
- In any instance in which cyber bullying creates a climate of fear and/or causes a substantial disruption of the work of the school or impinges on the rights of other students, the person committing the act shall be subject to school disciplinary proceedings.
Role of Students
If you believe you or someone else is the victim of cyber-bullying, you must speak to an adult as soon as possible. This person could be a parent/guardian, your teacher, your school supervisor or school guidance counsellor.
- Do not answer abusive messages but log and report them.
- Do not delete anything until it has been shown to your teacher/ supervisor / counsellor, parents/guardian (even if it is upsetting, the material is important evidence which may need to be used later as proof of cyber-bullying).
- Do not give out personal IT details.
- Never reply to abusive e-mails.
- Never reply to someone you do not know
Role of Parents
It is important that parents and the school work together to make sure that all students are aware of the serious consequences of getting involved in anything that might be seen to be cyber-bullying.
- Parents can help by making sure their child understands the school’s policy and, above all, how seriously school takes incidents of cyber-bullying.
- Parents should also explain to their sons and daughters legal issues relating to cyber bullying.
- If parents believe their child is the victim of cyber-bullying, they should save the offending material (if need be by saving an offensive text on their or their child’s mobile phone) and make sure they have all relevant information before deleting anything.
- Parents should contact the school as soon as possible. A meeting can then be arranged with section supervisor / guidance counsellor.
- Dubai National School reserves the right to take action against bullying perpetrated outside the school which spills over into the school.
What Happens Once You Have Reported?
Complaint Procedure
Step 1 – Reporting: A student who believes s/he has been subject to cyber bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident to the section supervisor/guidance counsellor.
Step 2 – Investigation: Upon receiving a complaint, the section supervisor / guidance counsellor shall take immediate and appropriate action to investigate the complaint or otherwise determine what occurred. The investigation should consist of individual interviews with the complainant, the accused, and others with knowledge relative to the incident. The investigator may also evaluate any other information and materials relevant to the investigation.
Step 3 – Investigative Report: The section supervisor / guidance counsellor shall prepare a written report which shall include a summary of the investigation, a determination of whether the complaint has been substantiated as factual and whether it is a violation of this policy, and a recommended disposition of the complaint.
Step 4 – School Action: If the investigation determines that the accused engaged in conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy, the school shall take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the bullying, eliminate any hostile environment and its effects, and prevent the bullying from recurring.
If the allegations are confirmed, the section supervisor / guidance counsellor shall:
1. Inform the student(s) found to have violated this policy and his/her parents/guardians the results of the investigation, including the actions of the student and the consequences for his/her actions.
2. Administer the consequences for the behaviour relative to the number of offenses and the severity of the behaviour.
A student who violates this policy, or who intentionally makes a false report or complaint, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Student’s Code of Conduct.