<p>I recently stumbled on this article about a new Web site, which allows school children to anonymously report bullying to school administrators via the Internet. See [Web</a> site invites kids to report bullies incognito - Tech and gadgets - MSNBC.com](<a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27179688/]Web”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27179688/) Right now there are only about 50 schools participating in five states (Utah, Texas, Arizona, California, and Washington), but perhaps it may catch on elsewhere.</p>
<p>I’m on the fence about this concept. It certainly could help kids to feel safer in school, but it also worries me to consider the damage that false reports could do. As discussed on other CC threads, some parents (and maybe even their progeny?) can be capable of a different type of harassment–besmirching “competitor” students in order to advance the status of their own children.</p>
<p>It could be good for “traditional” bullying, if it were used for a student who did not want to get involved but was noticing something that was not right - something like “every day during second period lunch a group of boys bullies on Jimmy Johnson in the north corner of the south lot” - maybe some adult could keep an eye on the north corner of the south lot.</p>
<p>Generally I don’t like anonymous reports but my first reaction to this is that it sounds like it might be helpful. I would think no one would “get in trouble” solely on the basis of an anonymous report, but just being quetioned by a principal or GC, asked “Are you bullying Sarah?” (and the bully says, “no, of course not”), might be enough to make a bully quit.</p>
<p>It can cause a lot of problems. I wish there were more vigilance in watching kids for bullying and other peer problems. A lot could be done if it were actually witnessed by an uninvolved, caring adult. The problem with reports is that they are too often exaggerated.</p>
<p>We had a situation at our school this year where a mom, a friend of mine, was very upset about reports that her son was giving her on how he was being bullied. Close observation and investigation showed that it was not the case. He was the one who was having issues. Had it not been for the fact that my son is an old friend of the young man and told us his view of the matter, there could have been some kids pulled up to the carpet and resentment all around. THese things can cause more harm than good. Many times kids who are being bullied need to learn to change their behaviours in addition to the bullies being addressed, or all it does is stop the bullying in one situation.</p>
<p>I do think that MidwestMom2Kids makes a good point when she suggests that anonymous tips need not always be about naming names but could, instead, alert school officials to places and times these incidents tend to occur or to the type of bullying that’s going on in their schools. Then–at least in a perfect world–the teachers or administrators could take a look at the situation and see if the allegations seem accurate and, if so, who might be responsible.</p>
<p>I know the teachers at my kids’ middle and high schools tried to do everything in their power to stop bullying. Sometimes it was an easy fix - there were kids who would stand next to the vending machine in the cafe, and intimidate others into giving them their change. They placed a teacher on cafe duty next to the vending machine - problem solved. Not all are that easy, but at least if the administration knows where and when the problems occur, they can deal with it.</p>
<p>I’m not so sure that I like that people can submit names though. The potential for false accusations seems like it could be huge - in fact, it could simply become another way to bully someone, by accusing them of being a bully.</p>
<p>In many instances, especially with girls, bullying is kind of a grey area and can be in the eye of the beholder. If it’s verbal or subtle rather than physical, defining or resolving it is like trying to nail jello to a wall.</p>
<p>I have no fear that any child will be wrongly punished. All this will do is alert the school of the problem so that adults can keep a closer eye on things. If there is nothing to it, they will see that.</p>
<p>I have a much different view after witnessing what has happened at our school. There are kids who turn in completely false information on their peers because they know they can get away with it. </p>
<p>It happened numerous times on my daughter’s dance team and did nothing but stir up trouble. As far as I know, there was never any truth to any of the reports. Maybe a few girls that were jealous of their officers???</p>
<p>The director finally said she would not respond to any annonymous report. They would have to come to her directly if they had a problem.</p>