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Cyber-bullying Sample Policy

I. DEFINITION OF CYBER-BULLYING

A. Cyber-bullying shall be defined as the harassment, intimidation, threats or defamation of any student or
school personnel through digital communication including but not limited to email, chatting, social
networking and any other means of electronic communication.

B. This behavior is intended to harm a person emotionally or cause person concern for physical harm.

C. Prohibited cyber-bullying behavior includes but is not limited to:

1. Bullying as defined
2. Harassment and Sexual Harassment through electronic services
3. False accusations of Cyberbullying
4. Electronic retaliation toward reporting persons

D. Retaliation is defined as an act or gesture against an individual for declaring or alleging an act of cyber-
bullying. Retaliation also includes claiming an act of cyber-bullying when it is not made through honest
of sincere intentions.

Acts of retaliation against any person who has reported a cyber-bullying incident is strictly prohibited.

Cyber-bullying examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Posting rumors or insults or exhibiting any defamatory, inaccurate, disparaging, violent,
abusive, profane, or sexually oriented material about a student or staff member on a website or
other online resource;
2. Posting misleading or inaccurate images (photographs, videos, etc.) of a student or staff
member on any websites or social networking sites, real or fake, acting as the targeted
individual(s);
3. Using another individuals electronic devices or accounts to send forms of electronic
communication with the intent to represent or impersonate the individual;
4. Sending any form of electronic communication that can be seen as mean or threatening;
5. Sending any form of electronic communication in large quantities with the intent to overwhelm
an individual;
6. Using a photographic device to capture and/or share embarrassing or sexually explicit content
of and/or to students or staff members;


II. REPORTING:

Reports can be made in person or in writing. Reports of cyber-bullying or bullying of any kind may be made
anonymously.

A. Students, staff, and all school personnel are required to report any incidents of cyber-bullying about
which they are made aware to a designated staff member.



B. Parents/guardians, volunteers, and visitors who are aware of any cyber-bullying incidents are strongly
encouraged to bring this to the attention of school staff or administration.

C. Failure to report a cyber-bullying incident is a violation of this policy.

D. Acts of cyber-bullying must be reported if they occur or are implied to occur:
i. on school property;
ii. at school-related or school-sponsored activities or events;
iii. on school buses or other vehicles used by the school district;
iv. at school bus stops;
v. usom
vi. through the use of any technology or electronic device owned or used by the school district.

E. All reported incidents will be investigated by designated staff. These investigations may include the use
of any electronic communications records kept by the school district. The designated staff will then
make a recommendation for the schools next course of action.


III. RESPONDING:

Designated school staff will follow these procedures in response to reports of cyber-bullying:

1. Complete a thorough investigation of the allegations including the collection of documentation of the
allegations and the outcomes of the investigation;

2. Determine and assign the appropriate disciplinary actions, keeping in mind the details of the behavior,
patterns of previous cyber-bullying, as well as other circumstances.

Disciplinary actions may include:

a. Scheduled conferences with the student and their parents;
b. Detention, before school, during the school day or after school;
c. Loss of privileges: including, but limited to, bus privileges or the loss of using school owned
technologies or electronic devices;
d. Counseling, including reflective exercises, mediation, anger management exercises;
e. Exclusion from extracurricular activities including sports and clubs;
f. In-school and/or Out-of-School Suspension.

3. If the behavior has warranted criminal charges, the designated school staff will notify the police of the
incident and the parents of both the perpetrator and the victim. Designated school staff will consult the
North Carolina General Statutes regarding bullying in determining whether or not to pursue criminal
charges;

4. Contact the parent or guardian of the student that has been bullied to make them aware of the steps taken
towards the safety of their child.

5. Contact the parent or guardian of the perpetrator to make them aware of the disciplinary action taken
towards their child and to notify them that they have the right to appeal any disciplinary decision made
by the superintendents designee.








References
Maine DOE. (2013). Model policy for bullying or cyberbullying. Retrieved from
http://maine.gov/doe/bullying/laws/modelpolicy.html
Medford Public Schools. (2014). Bullying, cyberbullying, and internet safety. Retrieved from
http://www.medfordpublicschools.org/for-parents/technology-resource-guide-for-parents/

Rutherford County Schools. (2013, August 14). Middle school & high school student handbooks. Retrieved
from http://rcsnc.sharpschool.com/cms/one.aspx?portalId=4703011&pageId=13786272
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2014, March 31). Key components in state anti-bullying laws.
Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/key-components
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2014, March 31). North Carolina anti-bullying laws & policies.
Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/north-carolina.html
Virginia Department of Education. (2008, August). Cyberbullying and school policy. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/technology/info_briefs/cyberbullying.pdf

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