Temple Researcher Finds Many Schools Lack Cyber-Bullying Policies
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – As cyber-bullying becomes an ever increasing problem, many school social workers say they don't have the tools needed for the fight.
A survey of nearly 400 social workers shows that half agree cyber-bullying is a problem in the schools but fewer than 20 percent say their school has an effective policy in place to tackle the issue.
Jonathan Singer, assistant professor of social work at Temple University and study co-author says one of the problems is the attacks often occur after school hours.
"There might be some school policy in place if the cyber-bullying affects a child's ability to learn regardless of when it happens then we have a responsibility to jump in."
He adds most of the social workers surveyed had only been trained to recognize regular bullying and with an average age near 50; had never experienced cyber-bullying themselves.
Reported By Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio.
