As the recent Ravenswood controversy highlights, social media issues are increasingly complicating the management of risk for school principals and administrators – especially when it comes to managing bullying and its diversified forms in the online context.
A relatively recent and important resource in combating cyber-bullying is the Australian Government Children's e-Safety Commissioner (CeSC). The CeSC is responsible for the protection of children experiencing cyber-bullying and the administration of a complaints scheme in respect of prohibited online content.
The CeSC can issue take down notices to social media platforms seeking removal of the bullying content within 48 hours. It can also refer complaints about cyber-bullying to the school or in serious cases to relevant law enforcement agencies. The CeSC also operates an eSafety Hotline where complaints about online content can be lodged. Where prohibited content is hosted in Australia, the eSafety Hotline can direct the hosting service take down the content. If the content is hosted overseas, the eSafety Hotline can refer the content to an ISP filter provider so as to filter it via optional end-user filter subscriptions.
Most social media platforms have their own cyber-bullying and offensive content policies and often special e-safety hubs where users can register their complaints and report cyber-bullying. The CeSC contains links to a range of these on its website. It is a requirement that the complaint be first made to the social media platform prior to the CeSC.
The CeSC also provides useful resources and links to relevant information about dealing with cyber-bullying and navigating the available tools provided by social media platforms for managing cyber-bullying. It is worthwhile becoming familiar with these tools and incorporating them where relevant into school social media policy implementation.
For a fuller exploration of managing social media within a school regulatory framework including social media bullying, please see our expanded article here.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
