ourselves while speaking to someone else in the privacy of our own bedroom with the door shut. I call it the trifecta of temptation.”
David Mitchell (BS86, MA94) agrees.
A counselor for 12 years in Pinckney Community Schools, Mitchell has dealt with many with cyber-bullying cases. “Unfortunately, the relative anonymity of social media has led to an increase in cyber-bullying. Many of those doing the bullying are much bolder when hiding behind a screen-name or simply being in a different location than they normally would be in person,” says Mitchell. “The worst part about cyber-bullying is the effect it has on the victim. Years ago, a bullying incident might be witnessed by a few people or at most a small crowd and then might be spread by word-of-mouth. Today, a victim can be embarrassed in front of thousands in a matter of minutes online.” Fortunately, the frequency of cyber- bullying has decreased in Pinckney, according to Mitchell. District-wide efforts have brought counselors, social workers and administrators together to confront bullying. Not only do administrators take appropriate disciplinary measures, they also involve the police, when appropriate. Mitchell participates in seminars to educate parents and students about cyber-bullying, calling in experts as part of a larger parent support initiative. “Social media has created huge challenges in terms of supporting the victims and helping them return to a sense of
normalcy in school and in life,” says Mitchell. “We’ve worked hard to be as proactive as possible to protect the students, but it is an ever-changing landscape as technology evolves.” 3
Eastern | SPRING 2014 35
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