Cyberbullying and the First Amendment

Cyberbullying and the First Amendment
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Cyberbullying and the First Amendment
Cyberbullying cases among students are one of the major challenges an educator can face. In today's world, where technology has become ubiquitous, there is increased connection online, which can expose students to cyberbullying. According to the student's handbook provided by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), cyberbullying is defined as threats by one student towards another through websites (social media, blogs, etc.) and emails (FCPS, 2022). When a student notifies me that she has been subjected to bullying by a classmate on Facebook, I will have to take necessary steps in accordance with the policies of Virginia's Board of Education, the student handbook, and FCPS policies.
The Virginia Board of Education (2013) outlines the steps to be followed in bullying intervention. After the student notifies me of the cyberbullying incident, I will document the report and send it to the principal. The next step after reporting the cyberbullying incident is investigation. As noted by the Virginia Board of Education (2013), upon receiving the cyberbullying report, the principal will conduct an investigation and take into account all facts, severity, and developmental factors. When bullying is reported, FCPS (n.d.) notes that school administrators must take immediate action to carry out an investigation and respond. In addition, the guardians/parents of the students involved are informed of the incident. In this case, the principal can take several actions, ranging from a conference to an expulsion recommendation, depending on the severity of the incident.
A key aspect that I should include in the report is whether the cyberbullying incident occurred when the student was under the supervision of the school, or she was at home. As per the student handbook, incidents that occur at home are not regulated by the school (FCPS, 2022). In essence, my biggest role is to report the incident correctly and participate in the inv...