Digiwise Cyberbullying Campaign

Digiwise is running a campaign in Term 3 to support WSC/NPOW students/ākonga who are currently or have previously faced cyberbullying. We know we can’t do this alone, so we extend this campaign to our families/whānau who we aim to better inform on cyberbullying and how to deal with it. It is incredibly important for families to know how to provide support and assistance for students who face cyberbullying. But first, who are Digiwise?

We are the school’s club dedicated and focused on promoting responsible use of devices to better develop our learning. As WSC/NPOW students, that responsibility lies in the practice and upholding of our school’s Tikanga/Value of Manaakitanga/Fairness. That fairness includes fairness to other students, teachers, and ourselves. How we can best demonstrate that fairness is by simply treating others online with the respect we want to be treated with. Just because you can’t see them and they can’t see you, doesn’t mean they are undeserving of respect. Unfortunately, this is undermined with cyberbullying, where bullying is protected and shielded under the mask of the internet. But, first what actually is cyberbullying and what does it look like?

Cyberbullying, like in-person bullying, is the repetitive and constant harassment, insult, and degradation of others. It is something that many teens experience, with a 2018 report finding as many as 70% of NZ teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. This cyberbullying manifests itself in various ways, from unwanted so-called jokes and remarks, to threats of violence and blackmail. Victims of cyberbullying often have a hard-time reporting their bullying and seeking help. To address this, Digiwise will be committed to raising awareness on cyberbullying not only amongst students/ākonga, but also amongst parents and families/.

For students/ākonga, Digiwise will create interactive activities like Whanau class quizzes and interviews, giving things like tips and advice on how to use the internet responsibility, raising awareness on cyberbullying in Aotearoa, and providing them with information on how to seek support. It is just as important for whānau/families to be informed on how to identify cyberbullying, and most importantly, how to help those who need, seek support for it. It is crucial that families are well-informed on cyberbullying so we are together able to not only assist those facing cyberbullying, but prevent it. Students are also able to seek information on how to stay safe on the internet simply by clicking on the Staying Safe Online google slides on the school’s official landing page.

But, what stands out in this campaign is our efforts to convey what we, the students/ākonga, want you, the adults, to know about cyberbullying. The Digiwise team will take a box to each Whānau class, providing students with the chance to post a note writing what they want Whānau to know about cyberbullying. To truly encourage students/ākonga to voice their concerns, we have made it so their identities remain completely and totally anonymous.

If you would like to support this campaign please keep an eye on the main social media channels @wscwcollege &/or support the Digiwise panel by following them on their official Instagram page @wscwdigiwise

Mohamed Elasfoury – Digiwise Team

[Image generated by Gemini]