Teachers Can Be Bullied Too

Sticks, stones, and Facebook groups? A British survey reports that more than one out of every seven teachers has felt victimized at the hands of student postings on Facebook and-other social networking sites. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers notes that students have set up “hate groups” on Facebook and other sites that target strict or firm teachers. One department head said that his brush with cyberbullying was the worst week of his career, while others have received abusive messages and embarrassing photos. Among the issues that contribute to cyberbullying are 9- to 10-year-old users who pretend to be 13—the minimum age allowed to be on Facebook. The social networking giant, for its part, says it has taken down any material that goes against its anti-harassment policies or is posted by youngsters below age 13. The general secretary of the ATL notes that "schools and colleges need to have clear policies to deal with it, and make sure that pupils will face appropriate punishment if they engage in any form of bullying—cyber or otherwise."