East Lothian teachers given new guidance to tackle cyber-bullying in schools

Teachers and education staff in East Lothian have been issued with new guidance for tackling online bullying.

Concerns over the use of smartphones in the classroom have been raised by parents and councillors over the last year, as a number of online incidents sparked alerts.

In October, one councillor said graphic video footage of American activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting had been shared by some children.

Weeks earlier, the council was forced to suspend all Google Mail accounts across its schools after an email containing ‘adult content’ went viral on its network.

Most recently in November the council took the decision to take its online education system offline after a virus alert, although no threat was identified in checks carried out.

Now, the council has revised its bullying policy to address issues of online incidents involving pupils.

The revised policy states “Online bullying, or ‘cyberbullying’ as it is often referred to, is the same type of bullying behaviour but it takes place online, usually on social networking sites and online gaming platforms.

“Online is where the bullying is happening, it is not what is happening. We address online bullying effectively when we address it as part of our whole antibullying approach, not as a separate area of work or policy.”

It quotes a local pupil asked about the issue who points to the sharing of alarming content as a form of bullying.

He says: “I don’t think it’s just calling other people names and threats online that’s the problem. It could be sending links to inappropriate websites and pictures.”

The new guidance commits the council to supporting the use of electronic technology and the internet safely in schools, helping children and young people understand the potential criminality of the behaviour online and introducing programmes to train those affected on how to seek support as well as remaining up to date with the latest digital technology changes.

It says: “East Lothian Council recognises that digital technologies (such as smart phones, computers and tablets) and online applications (such as gaming and social networks) are constantly being developed.

“Therefore, the authority wants to see all appropriate policies and practice include advice on online bullying.”

A call for an outright ban on mobile phone use in schools was rejected by councillors after it was claimed the Charlie Kirk footage had been shared.

Instead, elected members backed a call for further consultation with teaching staff, unions and pupils over any future policy to create a ‘phone-free learning environment’.