While many assume that cyberbullying — the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices — is an issue that predominantly impacts high school and middle school students, the recent suicide of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi has brought to light the prevalence of Internet harassment on college campuses as well.
Hoping to study the issue of cyberbullying at Tufts, sophomore Tabias Wilson, in his capacity as a Tufts Community Union (TCU) senator, is working with the administration to create a fact−finding cyberbullying working group and to address the underlying issues of bias and Internet culture that breed this kind of behavior.
Although it is important to investigate cyberbullying at Tufts, it is vital that this proposed fact−finding mission and effort to eliminate the root causes of online harassment be accompanied by specific, tangible measures designed to mitigate cyberbullying and help its victims.
In the Internet age, a policy of censorship and punishment by means such as shutting down gossip websites or monitoring students' Internet activity will do little to prevent cyberbullying and also risks impinging upon the freedom of expression and speech. Furthermore, because perpetrators of cyberbullying on university campuses often cannot be traced, due to the anonymity granted by websites like CollegeACB.com, attempting to use punitive action to stop Internet harassment is unlikely to be effective.
Instead, the university should focus on efforts to educate the Tufts community about the real and harmful effects of cyberbullying and also should provide support resources to victims of cyberbullying, which will help prevent dangerous escalation of harassment like that which occurred in the Clementi clase.
Cyberbullying can have harmful social and psychological effects on its victims and should be treated as a serious issue on the Tufts campus — much like alcohol abuse or sexual assault. One way to raise awareness may be to create a mandatory information session for Tufts students, which would outline the consequences of cyberbullying. The session could be structured like the "In the SACK" Undergraduate Orientation program, which educates incoming students about alcohol consumption and sexual assault.
In addition to a campus−wide education program, it is vital to create an outlet — perhaps through Counseling and Mental Health Service — for victims of cyberbullying to access counseling and help. Additionally, residential assistants, residential directors and other student leaders on campus should be trained to recognize the signs of cyberbullying and to provide victims with appropriate help and advice.
One tragic aspect of the Clementi case was that he reportedly contacted his RA and two superiors for help, but no action was taken to address the harassment or prevent his suicide. In creating programs to effectively address cyberbullying at Tufts, there must be a clear and comprehensive mechanism so that victims of cyberbullying know whom to talk to and where to get help.
The most recent effort proposed by the Senate is a good start, and as the members of the task force begin their work, they should work on creating specific resources and structures — perhaps similar to the recently updated and comprehensive sexual assault policy — both to raise awareness of the real social and psychological consequences of cyberbullying and to ensure that services for potential victims exist. As recent events have indicated, ignoring the dangers of Internet harassment can have tragic consequences.
