Cyberbullying/Social media abuse

Cyberbullying and abuse via social media has become a problem for workers in recent years. Research by teachers’ union NASUWT found that cyberbullying of teachers has become a particular problem in the education sector. It found, for example, that 61% of teachers had received abusive comments about their performance as a teacher from a parent, but 56% saw no action taken against the parents involved.

The union explains that cyberbullying may involve the abuse of e-mail, internet, social networking sites, virtual learning environments (VLEs), digital cameras and mobile phones and has emerged as a key challenge for schools affecting both pupils and staff. Advances in technology mean cyberbullying can take place at any time. The bully often remains anonymous and can conduct their activities from the comfort of their homes while the bullied are no longer able to find any refuge in theirs.

Other unions have identified the problem in the sectors they organise in – for guidance on how to respond see 51.