Cyberbullying is a pervasive and often invisible struggle for our students. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying is defined by kidshealth.org as the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Cyberbullying can follow a child 24/7, making escape feel impossible.
We need a modern approach— a proactive, collaborative effort between schools, parents, and technology companies, all focused on empowering students to become responsible and resilient digital citizens.
The digital world never sleeps, and harmful content can be difficult to remove, compounding its negative effects over time.
The statistics are sobering: Nearly half of U.S. teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying, with girls and LGBTQ+ students being disproportionately affected.
The consequences are severe, impacting students’ mental health, physical well-being, and academic performance. It can also cause anxiety, depression, and, in the most tragic cases, suicidal behavior.
Instagram: An Unexpected Ally
Instagram has become a proactive partner in finding solutions to cyberbullying. A significant initiative is the School Partnership Program, designed to help educators directly report potential teen safety concerns.
Richard Culatta, CEO of the education technology organization ISTE+ASCD, notes, “Education leaders have made it clear that they need more control over social media. ... We’re excited that, now, school reports will be heard and acted upon in a timely and purposeful way.”
This program provides schools with a prioritized reporting channel, ensuring that issues will be reviewed quickly. D.J. Ashford, a teacher at one of the pilot schools, reported, “Within the first week of partnering with Instagram, we saw bullying posts and profiles taken down.
Students reported feeling safer, and educators felt supported by this rapid response.”
In addition to this partnership, Instagram offers a suite of built-in antibullying tools. These include comment warnings, mention controls, and features like “Restrict” and “Limits” that provide users with granular control over their interactions.
A Playbook for Schools
Creating a safer digital environment requires a multifaceted approach within a classroom itself. To effectively prevent cyberbullying, especially in older grades, it’s crucial to initiate discussions at an early age. Here are some key strategies for teachers:
• Educate everyone: Provide ongoing education for students and parents on how to recognize the signs of cyberbullying and use reporting tools effectively.
• Foster a positive climate: Implement social and emotional learning programs and restorative practices to build a culture of empathy and respect within your classroom, which is the ultimate antidote to bullying.
• Implement smart systems: Establish clear, approachable reporting systems—like a simple form or a dedicated classroom suggestion box—so students feel safe reporting incidents to you without fear of retaliation.
• Address new threats: Recognize that AI-generated deepfakes are the next iteration of bullying. Develop clear classroom guidelines that treat the creation of harmful deepfakes as a serious offense with significant consequences.
A Shared Responsibility
Addressing cyberbullying is not the sole responsibility of any one group; it requires a united front. When schools, parents, and technology companies collaborate, we can move beyond simply managing device access and start proactively teaching the digital habits that spark curiosity, create community, and empower students.
Learn more at nea.org/Bullying
Jeff Bradbury is an instructional technology teacher and coach, and the creator of the TeacherCast Educational Network.
