Case study one
At the Fifth Form Christmas party, a group of Year 11 boys decide it would be amusing to use a smartphone to film each other playing a drinking game with a bottle of vodka one of them has smuggled into school. All three of them become drunk and Sidney becomes visibly sick. Guy and Lawrence continue to drink and film Sidney's deterioration before emailing the footage to a couple of friends. Sidney is found by a member of staff and spends the night in hospital having his stomach pumped.
The following day rumours begin to circulate that the footage has been uploaded to YouTube. Staff discover that it not only shows Sidney being sick but also Guy and Lawrence using abusive language towards him and repeatedly naming the school.
That evening a Housemaster discovers a group of Year 10 boarders huddled around a laptop after lights out. When questioned they reveal that details of the incident is being discussed widely on Facebook and numerous abusive anonymous entries criticising both Sidney and the School have started to appear on Little Gossip.
Meanwhile, the Headmaster receives a call from Sidney's father. He is furious that his son gained access to vodka and that he is now being subject to vicious bullying online. He blames the School and demands to know what will be done about it. The Head confirms that he will carry out a full investigation. Then the Headmaster's 'phone rings again. A local journalist who will be submitting an article the following day wants to know whether the school would like to comment on what has happened…
Five key issues to consider
- How could you get the YouTube video removed by Guy and Lawrence?
- Can you take any steps to check whether cyberbullying of pupils at your school is taking place?
- Does the School’s website clearly provide details of the policies on alcohol and bullying so that any further online searches show accurate information?
- How do you ensure that all pupils understand that the behaviour is unacceptable and that there should be no further sharing of the video online?
- How and when will you communicate with parents to ensure that they do not hear the story first through the media or other unauthorised sources?
Case study two
A 15 year old female pupil Anna has sent her boyfriend Ben photos of herself in various states of undress. Ben hears rumours that Anna is flirting with other pupils and maliciously circulates the photos to other students by phone and email.
A member of staff Mr Croft is shopping in the local Mall when he comes across a group of pupils laughing over this on another pupil's phone and demands that the phone is handed over. In revenge the pupils post malicious comments on Facebook suggesting that Anna and Mr Croft are having an affair. This is taken a step further when other pupils create obscene faked photos of Anna and Mr Croft and send them out by phone and email.
The School's IT technician is checking a school laptop and comes across some of the photos. He takes the laptop home for the weekend before reporting it to the Principal on the Monday.
Five key issues to consider
- What rights do staff have to confiscate mobile phones?
- Can electronic devices be searched for bullying content?
- How can staff be protected in such situations?
- Do the school's policies cover activities outside school?
- Does any of this behaviour amount to a criminal offence and should the police be contacted?
For more information on all aspects of pupil discipline and cyber bullying, please contact Yvonne Spencer, Partner, on 0117 314 5202.
