ATL

The modern face of bullying

Day two of ATL's 2007 conference saw delegates debating some serious and complex issues.

An emerging theme from the morning's resolutions was that with the 'advances' in technology and the workplace, the old demon of bullying in schools has taken on a new disguise which conference urged the government to expose and eradicate once and for all. Conference was urged to demand that websites such as RateMyTeacher and YouTube do more to stop so-called 'cyber-bullying' of staff by their pupils.
 
ATL member Andy Brown, a drama teacher, explained that he himself had been the target of website abuse from a pupil and that the internet gave malicious pranks a far wider audience beyond the school playground. He told Conference: "When stuff is put there in cyber-space it is there for everyone to use." Andy called on Education Secretary Alan Johnson to take "all reasonable steps" to protect teachers' integrity. Andy quoted from a recent ATL survey of members into their experiences of cyber-bullying. Of those who said they had been bullied in this way:

• 45% had received emails designed to upset or enrage them

• 38% had received unwelcome text messages that they found upsetting

• 15% had received threatening text messages

• 10% had read messages via an internet chat room which were designed to upset or enrage them.

Of those surveyed 34% had said that they had been bullied by pupils and 7% said they had been bullied by pupils' parents.

Andy said: "Comments are one thing, but what about teachers who've had images of their heads superimposed onto gratuitous images, or who have had pictures taken and posted of their cleavages or underwear as they bend over. These websites do not (as they claim) police or 'moderate' themselves effectively; you cannot police innuendo, or implication."

The resolution demanded that action is taken. Andy asked: "Could you imagine the outcry if we started a website which allowed teachers to say whatever they wanted about pupils. We expect, as professionals, that if we act inappropriately, we will be subject to complaints.

"We demand the same professional courtesy in being able to complain and defend ourselves and our reputation. Support this motion today and you will enable the Executive to act further on this, going as far as the Secretary of State."
 
The resolution was carried unanimously.