Bullying is, unfortunately, a prevalent issue within education. How can it be reduced and how can EdTech assist and improve particular students’ experiences?
Despite a reduction in bullying because of schools closing during the pandemic, the issue still remains.
“In the year ending March 2020, an estimated one out of five children aged 10 to 15 years in England and Wales experienced at least one type of online bullying behaviour (19%). This equates to approximately 764,000 children.”
Schools have recently reopened so the rate of bullying in education settings could see an increase. Cyberbullying will still also be a contributing factor so how can this be reduced?
Students can cyber bully because they feel they can get away with their actions without fear of repercussions. To limit this, schools and parents could monitor online activity to ensure that children are behaving appropriately online and also to solidify a safe learning environment for those who are in fear.
This can be achieved through installed monitoring applications on devices or communicating effectively with students. In addition to this, students who fear attending school can use certain EdTech platforms that will guarantee a safe learning environment.
Bullying can heavily impact mental health
Young people’s mental health has increased considerably over the past years. Bullying can be a devastating contributing factor to issues such as depression, anxiety, loneliness or even more serious implications.
The online world is widely used by young people, but it can lead to vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited.
“68% of children that have gone through online harassment have experienced mental health issues.”
This statistic demonstrates the significance of stamping out bullying from education. This could also be attained through schools implementing bullying prevention strategies or school programs to let students know bullying is not to be tolerated. These strategies may already be instilled, but it is important that they are regulated and constant.
Moreover, students from the LGBTQ+ community may have a heightened sense of fear of bullying.
“LGBT+ bullying is the most common type of bullying in schools. Just 27% of secondary school pupils believe it would be safe to come out as LGBT+ in their schools.”
LGBTQ+ students fear the backlash they could face from other students and of being bullied. Schools could implement a strategised focus to assure students they can be comfortable with their sexuality when in school. They could also allow them to use an EdTech platform that allows them to learn without fear of being intimidated during their learning.
The impact of the pandemic
The pandemic caused a magnitude of problems for students and their relationships with their peers.
“68% of young people said they feel less connected to their friendships than before the pandemic. The responses to the survey shows that this is having an impact on how they are feeling and there are feelings of isolation and loneliness.”
Now that schools have reopened it reignites the possibility of students being bullied. Schools could heavily promote inclusivity or sports clubs in a bid to reduce bullying within a school so students feel a sense of community and don’t get left out.
The pandemic also resulted in a boost in remote learning. However, certain platforms allowed for open chat functions between students, reiterating the fact that some students felt they could get away with abuse just because they were online.
“75% of young people learning from home are not being given opportunities to communicate with other pupils during online lessons. Where they are allowed to use the ‘chat functions in online lessons, these can often be used to say unkind and bullying things.”
In an attempt to reduce and make students feel safer learning online, remote hybrid learning with isolated chat functions between themselves and their teachers could be incredibly beneficial. The comfortability of learning at your own pace has allowed some students to successfully continue their education on their terms.
The demand for EdTech has increased significantly with it demonstrating real benefits for students, schools and teachers.
“UK teachers are increasingly keen to use tech in schools, with 77% teaching themselves digital skills to ensure they can deliver digital or remote teaching but face a lack of devices (52%) and software (47%) in the classroom.”
The government should recognise how the education sector is dynamic and is evolving. EdTech can play an important part in ensuring students are learning in a safe environment where they feel comfortable without the fear of bullying.
By implementing EdTech resources into the school system it could allow establishments to reduce bullying statistics, help claim attendance codes for students learning remotely and improve the overall image of a school.
How EDClass can help you
EDClass can allow students to continue their education remotely if they have fear of bullying. The platform can even cater for those at risk of exclusion.
Attendance codes can be claimed, workloads can be reduced and budgets can be supported by educating students online.
EDClass also employs specialist UK-qualified teachers that help educate students and support their wellbeing via text or webcam chat. Take a look at Jude’s story.
For more information on how EDClass can assist your students please call 01909 568 338, send an email to mail@edclass.com or book a free online demonstration of the platform here.
