What is Digital Self-Harm
Cyberbullying has been a main focus for school administration for many years now, but a phenomenon called digital self-harm (cyberbullying oneself) may need to make its way into current cyberbullying prevention efforts. Digital self-harm behavior was identified about 10 years ago by clinicians and law enforcement, but only a small handful of researchers have explored the topic.
A study done in 2019 (and recently released) found that one in 10 middle and high school students admitted to engaging in digital self-harm. A separate survey from 2017 found that 6% of middle and high school students surveyed “anonymously posted something about themselves that was mean.” And, a survey done in 2013 found that “9% of students surveyed engaged in digital self-harm.” With students online more than ever due to COVID-19, it’s not surprising to see digital self-harm numbers increasing.
Just like cyberbullying, this practice can have tragic outcomes so digital self-harm should make its way on to the radar of district administration and leaders and be included in cyberbullying prevention policies, procedures, and education.
Take a Proactive Approach to Student Safety & Wellness
Data released during the second half of 2020 confirmed that the pandemic is taking a serious toll on children’s social, emotional, and mental health. Remote learning is making digital citizenship and cyberbullying awareness more important than ever.
From the developers of the leading safety and compliance training solution for school staff, Vector Solutions’ courses for students cover essential safety, wellness, and social and emotional learning topics, and help educators facilitate important discussions with their students. Course topics include:
- Alcohol, Drugs & Vaping
- Bullying & Cyberbullying
- Depression
- Digital Citizenship
- Good Decision Making
- Healthy Relationships
- Resolving Disagreements
- Sexual Harassment
- Stress & Anxiety
- Youth Suicide Prevention
Short course modules provide maximum flexibility to use for primary prevention or remediation and can be used in both in-person and distance learning environments. Teacher lesson plans feature activities and discussion questions to support teachers in using these resources with their students.
If you’re interested in learning more about these courses, previewing the courses, or requesting a quote, please contact us today at [email protected] or request a demo.
Cyberbullying has been a growing concern for educators and parents for quite some time. Due to the current pandemic, millions of kids are most likely spending an unprecedented amount of time online. This raises a lot of safety concerns from both parents and educators. According to Natasha Tiwari, a psychologist, these unique times “are ripe for encouraging cyberbullying.”
Cyberbullying by the Numbers
A 2018 study from Pew Research found that 59% of teens had experienced some form of cyberbullying (42% offensive name-calling, 32% spreading false rumors, and 25% receiving unsolicited explicit images).
A new study from Comparitech found:
- Kids reported being bullied 82.8% at school, 32.5% on the school bus, 19.2% on social media sites/apps, 17% at a physical location not on school grounds, 11% through text messages, 7.9% through video games, 6.8% on the internet (not via social media), 3.8% through phone calls, and 3.3% through email.
- The age breakdown of kids who had been bullied was 47.7% 6-10 year olds, 56.4% 11-13 year olds, 59.9% 14-18 year olds, and 54.3% 19 and older.
- 10.5% of parents surveyed had witnessed their children being cyberbullied.
A new survey from the Anti-Defamation League found that one in four Americans experience severe online harassment, so unfortunately online harassment is an issue for all ages, not just school-aged kids.
Stomp Out Bullying has a page dedicated to cyberbullying during COVID-19, and includes recommendations for parents.
How SafeSchools Can Help
Check out our Cyberbullying Prevention Safety Tip video for tips to help keep your school safe. We also have a previous blog with tips on how your school can help control cyberbullying.
The SafeSchools Online Training System includes a variety of expert-authored courses dedicated to helping your staff and students prevent incidents of cyberbullying, including:
Staff Courses
Student Courses
- Bullying & Cyberbullying (Grades 6-8)
- Bullying & Cyberbullying (Grades 9-12)
- Digital Citizenship (Grades 6-8)
- Digital Citizenship (Grades 9-12)
Our SafeSchools Alert Tip Reporting System allows students, staff and parents to confidentially report safety concerns, like cyberbullying, to your administration 24/7/365 via mobile app, text, phone, email, and website.
At the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, we launched the new SafeSchools Training Student Courses with customized course collections for students in grades 9-12 and 6-8. Written by leading K-12 subject matter experts from across the nation, and delivered in a video-based format featuring age-appropriate content and peer presenters, our student courses cover essential safety and wellness topics you need to educate students on so they’re better prepared for the realities of school and life today. The modular courses also include helpful assessments, lesson plans, discussion questions, and activities to support a variety of uses.
- Alcohol, Marijuana, and Vaping
- Bullying and Cyberbullying
- Digital Citizenship
- Sexual Harassment
- Youth Suicide Risk
- *Student Wellness Collection coming in 2020.
What Customers Are Saying about Student Training
Mid-way through the school year, we surveyed our customers on their use of the new program, and we’ve had a tremendous response from administrators who have implemented the courses in their districts. Here are a few highlights from our December 2019 Customer Survey.
“We chose the SafeSchools Training Student Courses to supplement instruction in areas that often cause concern with our students. We really value the ease of use, the understandability for our students, and the positive, informational content.”
Dr. Gina Wohlford, Superintendent | Norton City Schools, VA
Why do administrators choose the SafeSchools Training Student Courses?
- To provide consistent training in key areas of need for students.
- The courses cover important topics that have a big impact on both the individual students and the school community.
- The courses provide supplemental content to support district curriculum and state standards.
- Quality content from a trusted provider.
- Each student course is written by a K-12 subject matter expert, so administrators can trust the quality of the content presented in the courses.
- Many of our customers also use our SafeSchools Training Staff Safety and Compliance Training and appreciate the opportunity to utilize a consistent training format, in a convenient training system, for both staff and student training.
- Flexibility to assign courses individually or use in a group setting.
- The flexibility and modular design of the courses support a variety of uses within a school.
- Assigning courses to students to complete individually.
- Using in a facilitated group setting, such as homeroom or advisory period.
- Facilitating important conversations with students using the course modules as a foundation for discussion.
- To provide remediation alternatives and enhancements to discipline.
- Districts are providing training in key areas of concern to help remediate issues within the schools.
- Administrators are using the courses to provide additional knowledge and understanding for students who would previously have only received discipline for certain behaviors.
- The flexibility and modular design of the courses support a variety of uses within a school.
What do customers value most about the SafeSchools Training Student Courses?
Here are a few statements our administrators shared about what they value most in the new student courses. Clearly content, student engagement, flexibility, and affordability are key!
- Consistency in curriculum for all students.
- Courses are high quality with good messages and valuable information presented by student peers.
- Allows teachers to be involved in open discussion with students with the videos being the starting point.
- The students can get information on topics they don’t normally talk about by watching the teen presenters in the videos.
- Students like the video lessons and having time to discuss current topics.
- Easy to use, informative.
- Flexibility to use individually or in group setting.
- Affordable, the cost-per-pupil makes it worth it.
“Our administration was looking for innovative ways to educate students on the topics that you offered. We have used the SafeSchools Training Student Courses for students who would have typically just received discipline for a behavior. Now, we are able to require them to use the courses to enhance their knowledge. We value the flexibility of being able to use the courses in the classroom or assign individually to students.”
Angela Watson, Coordinator of Nursing | School District of Pickens County, SC
To preview the student courses or learn more about adding these courses for your school or district, please contact us at 1-800-434-0154 or [email protected].
At Vector Solutions, we rely on thought leaders, professional organizations, and advisory school districts that provide us with ongoing insight into school safety needs. In addition to monitoring the legal environment to ensure we’re providing resources to help school administrators address their staff compliance training needs, we’re also focused on shifting cultural and societal norms, as well as the impact of technology and how all of these factors affect school communities. Whether it’s an increased sensitivity to survivors of sexual assault or recognizing the growing role of social media in sexual harassment or bullying, we’re evolving to meet our clients’ needs. One such area of need that has been growing at an alarmingly rapid rate is the youth vaping crisis.
New Vaping Resources for Students
In response to this urgent student health and safety issue and the valuable feedback we’ve received from our clients, we are releasing a new, powerful vaping prevention online training module available for students in Grades 9-12. This engaging resource, which is included as part of the SafeSchools Training Student Courses, provides information about the damaging health effects of vaping as well as offering tips and strategies to resist these pressures. Click here to preview the Vaping Course Module.
Often marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, the popularity of vaping among teens has risen dramatically in recent years due to the ease of concealed use and perceived harmlessness, especially in comparison to cigarette smoking. According to data compiled by the National Center for Health Research, the percentage of teens who have tried e-cigarettes has increased from 5% to 19% over the last four years. Additionally, one in four students in 12th grade and one in five students in 10th grade have vaped within the past month. Our new vaping prevention module seeks to dispel the myths about the safety of vaping and explains the risks and potential consequences of using electronic vaping products.
Preview the New Vaping Module
About SafeSchools Training Student Courses
The vaping module is included in the Alcohol, Marijuana & Other Drugs course, one of the five online courses available in the SafeSchools Training Student Courses for students in Grades 9-12. The module will also be available for middle school students when the new collection of student courses launches in early 2020 for students in Grades 6-8. Other course topics in both the Grades 9-12 and Grades 6-8 collections include: Bullying & Cyberbullying; Youth Suicide Awareness; Sexual Harassment; and Digital Citizenship. The Grades 9-12 course collection is available today, and the Grades 6-8 course collection is now available for pre-order. View the Student Course Library.
For more information or to schedule a demo, click here. You can also contact us at 1-800-434-0154 or [email protected].
As the leading provider of online compliance training for school employees, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new SafeSchools Training safety courses for students! Our powerful, new, web-based courses cover the essential safety topics you need to educate your students on to keep them safe and to positively impact your school culture, including:
- Bullying & Cyberbullying
- Youth Suicide Prevention
- Alcohol & Drug Prevention
- Sexual Harassment
- Digital Citizenship
And, our courses are perfect for prevention training or remediation with students who have disciplinary issues.
Each short, age-appropriate, modular course features peer presenters, so students can more easily connect with each lesson. Administrators can assign courses to individual students to complete independently, use in a facilitated group setting with a staff presenter, or add our courses to your existing LMS. Each course includes helpful assessments, lesson plans, discussion questions and activities.
Click on the video below to watch an overview of our student courses.
Equip your students with the knowledge and skills they need, so they’re better prepared for the realities of school today with SafeSchools Training’s new student courses!
Our new student courses will be available in June in perfect time for the new school year. To preorder or to learn more, please call 1-800-434-0154 or email [email protected].
