A Review of School Board Cyberbullying Policies in Alberta

Authors

  • Nicole Nosworthy University of Alberta
  • Christina Rinaldi University of Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v58i4.55574

Keywords:

cyberbullying, school policy, Alberta Education

Abstract

An online search for school board cyberbullying/bullying policies in Alberta was conducted. The results showed that while only five school boards had a bullying policy, many schools had technology or Internet use guidelines. The online search included an assessment of one extensive school board cyberbullying policy as well as Internet use guidelines in two large school boards in Alberta. While technology and Internet use guidelines support anti-bullying initiatives, it is argued that a clear well defined policy empowers administrators to make informed decisions on how to handle cyberbullying. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed based on the results of the online search.

On a entrepris une recherche en ligne pour trouver les politiques des conseils scolaires albertains en matière d’intimidation/harcèlement en ligne. Les résultats indiquent que si seulement cinq conseils ont mis en place une politique en matière d’intimidation, plusieurs écoles ont des directives quant à l’emploi des technologies et de l’internet. La recherche en ligne a comporté l’évaluation d’une politique scolaire approfondie sur le harcèlement en ligne ainsi que les directives quant à l’emploi de l’internet de deux grands conseils scolaires en Alberta. Bien que les directives en matière de l’emploi des technologies et de l’internet appuient les initiatives contre le harcèlement, nous affirmons que la mise en place d’une politique clairement définie permet aux administrateurs de prendre des décisions éclairées quant à la gestion du harcèlement en ligne. Nous terminons en proposant des recommandations stratégiques reposant sur les résultats de la recherche en ligne.

Author Biographies

Nicole Nosworthy, University of Alberta

Nicole Nosworthy is a PhD student in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. Her research interests focus on social-emotional development during the early years and bullying.

Christina Rinaldi, University of Alberta

Christina Rinaldi is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. Her research interests focus on the assessment and development of social and emotional competence, parenting, and parent-child interactions.

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Published

2013-06-12

How to Cite

Nosworthy, N., & Rinaldi, C. (2013). A Review of School Board Cyberbullying Policies in Alberta. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 58(4), 509–525. https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v58i4.55574

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 4 (2012): Winter

Section

ARTICLES

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