Online Harassment
Revised and Updated by Holly Downs, Champaign, IL
Original Written by David M. Stone, University Laboratory High School, Urbana, IL
Introduction
Unlike most computer crimes, which are clear cut in terms of actions and legalities (e.g., software piracy), online harassment encompasses a broad array of actions including spamming, stalking or threats. Regardless of the situation, online harassment involves abuse of computer network access and may affect the victim's ability to use network-provided resources (including e-mail, web browsing). Moreover, it also has detrimental effects on a person’s mental well being or safety.
The communications are often constant, filled with disturbing and inappropriate content, and do not cease even after the victim asks for the behaviors to stop. Within a school setting, online harassment is often an extension of bullying that may occur within or outside the school setting.
Major Issues Regarding Online Harassment
By providing students with e-mail accounts, we are allowing them a much broader circle of communication than was previously available. Along with the privilege of increased options for communication, comes the added responsibility to use the communication tool in ways deemed socially acceptable. This is where it is essential that students receive training in acceptable and unacceptable online communication practices. Furthermore, students and parents must be made aware of and agree with an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
With this increased communication, students can gain access to a variety of groups whose activities are antisocial (e.g., white supremacist groups, neo-Nazis and anti-gay activists). These hate groups can influence the thinking of some individuals and may catalyze harassment to the point that it escalates to violence. Understandably, in school situations, interactions and web browsing associated with these groups are often blocked and monitored. This leads to issues regarding individual freedoms versus the welfare of others. This is another good reason for a well defined Acceptable Use Policy, as well as a reminder every time the student logs into their account, which simply states "All keystrokes may be logged by the computer system."
Ways to Deter Online Harassment
There are a number of ways for schools to minimize potential for online harassment. Schools need to:
- Establish and articulate student rights, as well as a school- or district-wide harassment policy.
- Establish acceptable computer and network use policies and delineate appropriate and inappropriate actions to both students and staff.
- Inform students and staff about online harassment and the consequences of various actions.
- Utilize filters to reduce access to hate group-associated web sites, newsgroups and organizations. Unfortunately, filters also prevent students from doing legitimate research which may be facilitated by examination of these sites, therefore the decision to use filtering software should not be made lightly.
Address bullying and harassment reports immediately, making certain that in technology training reminders are given to students that those online messages are evidence which may be used directly against the harasser and these should be retained and forwarded to the school's technology director.
Annotated Web Sites
HateWatch
Civic watchdog organization that tracks hate groups. It includes links to hate group home pages and provides links written by scholars. Currently the page is being restructured, though it has a WebBoard discussion which is still functional.
Working to Halt Online Abuse
Updated on March 15, 2002, this site offers statistics in online harassment related to demographics. Although some of the information is not as recent (going up to only 1999 or 2000), much of the information is relevant nonetheless. In addition to statistics, it contains links to laws and legal resources. Cyberstalking and On-line Harassment
Last Updated:
08/03/2005
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