How can we protect staff from cyberbullying?

Staff not only need to protect themselves from potential cyberbullying within school, but also need to be careful of protecting themselves and their personal information whilst using technology in their everyday lives.

In this video from the joint ABA/YHGfL cyberbullying conference, Jennifer Moses, NASUWT, explains why the cyberbullying of staff needs to be taken seriously.

Staff should be particularly aware of how they use technology in their personal lives. Many staff now use mobile phones, instant messaging programs (such as MSN) and are members of social networking sites such as Facebook. Young people also use these technologies. Staff need to be careful not to post information about themselves publicly that they wouldn't be happy for their employer, pupils or parents to have access to. In particular, they should ensure social networking profiles are set to private, and that pupils or parents are not added as friends.

Cyberbullying: Supporting School Staff In 2009, DCSF published 'Cyberbullying: Supporting School Staff'. This document provides more detailed guidance on staff can help protect themselves from cyberbullying. It also looks at how schools can address the issue of cyberbullying of staff, and what staff should do if they find themselves a victim.

Schools need to take incidences of cyberbullying of staff seriously and ensure they are dealt with appropriately and with suitable support for the victim. School anti-bullying policies should be reviewed to ensure they protect staff as well as pupils.

For more information on this issue you may like to watch Jennifer's presentation to the ABA/YHGfL cyberbullying conference in full.