Cyberbullying...Don't be a jerk

Cyberbullying is when a minor is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another minor using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. As prevalent as this negative activity is, I don’t feel that I have ever been involved (either as the recipient or instigator) in this new wave of harassment. This might have to do with the fact that I’m rarely online, and I have never gotten into negative encounters since owning a cell phone over the last eight years.
Problems that schools can face in dealing with cyberbullying can range from inability to name the source of harassment (due to anonymous identities), and if they do in fact locate the instigator, schools try and get involved by disciplining the student for cyberbullying actions that took place off-campus and outside of school hours. They are often sued for exceeding their authority and violating the student's free speech right. They also, often lose.
Within the walls of the school confines, private matters have a way of circulating from loose lips to open ears. This is not only from students to students, but faculty can be recipients also. When something as serious as cyberbullying is going on, students tend to talk to whoever will listen, without being viewed as a “rat” or “snitch.” Other ways you as a teacher may realize students are being subjected to this harassment are rather obvious. Instances where students are declining rapidly from once acceptable levels, are major signs that something is wrong. These can be easily measured like absenteeism, excessive tardiness, or complete shutdown/unwillingness to participate in class. The signs could also be tougher to gage like having a student uncharacteristically gain or lose weight. It is at this point that I feel the schools should at least investigate what the problem is, and possibly attempt to regulate what could be happening off-site.
I believe that the first place to begin an education campaign is with the kids and teens themselves. Addressing ways they can become opponents of cyberbullies, how to be accountable for their technological actions, and not to allow bullying (in any form) to be acceptable. We need to teach them not to ignore the pain (real or perceived) of other peers. This should be done with the class as a whole (as nobody is outside the realm of being a bully/victim), and mainly used for a prevention strategy (trying to nip it before it starts). After implementing this educational tool, it will probably be necessary to evaluate it with anonymous student surveys, and if effective, attempt to make the campaign school-wide.