Technology and abuse
1
Abuse of a learner
2
Discouraging bullying
3
The video on this screen gives an example of how technology might be used to abuse a learner. E-safety is explored in more detail in the e-safety unit of Module 2.
Select the Play button to start the video.
After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.
What are the issues here?
The learner in this scenario is being bullied - the issues here are cyber-bullying and the acceptable use of technology. You need an effective anti-bullying policy, proper support, and effective procedures to deal with the bullies.
It is clear that this learner is not being protected by the organisation. While this kind of abuse can be difficult for organisations to detect, designing, implementing and enforcing an acceptable use of technology policy can help to create a safer learning environment. However, this is difficult to police outside the learning environment.
Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.
Select tab 2 to watch the next part of the video.
Select the Play button to start the video.
After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.
How could this have been prevented?
A combination of the following procedures may have helped to prevent this situation:
- An effective acceptable use of technology policy.
- Restricting access to social networking sites within the institution.
- Email monitoring.
Nothing can completely stop cyber-bullying - it can happen within any organisation and often outside it - but there are ways in which the chances of it happening can be reduced.
Educating learners about what constitutes unacceptable behaviour, creating a culture of mutual respect and making sure learners know what to do if it happens are steps to preventing bullying of any kind.
Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.
Select tab 3 to watch the next part of the video.
Select the Play button to start the video.
After you have watched the video read the question, then type your answer into the text box. Select Save when you have finished.
Do you have the right policies, procedures and systems in place? How do you effectively enforce them?
Hopefully, your organisation has effective policies, procedures and systems in place to prevent situations like the one shown in the video. However, the most important things are not the policies themselves, but that they are enforced effectively and that staff and learners are familiar with them.
Safeguarding is all about taking preventative measures against such behaviour. It also requires broad thinking to identify what kinds of protection learners might need.
Module 2 of this course has some ideas for you to consider on embedding safeguarding in your organisation and creating a culture of vigilance.
Write down any more thoughts in your Notepad for future reference.