Pennsylvania PTA Takes Position on

Cyberbullying/Cyber-harassment/Cyberstalking

The PENNSYLVANIA PTA believes the home, school, and community environment must be free of all forms of cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking which is defined as: "Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying.  There are two kinds of cyberbullying, direct attacks (messages sent to your kids directly) and cyberbullying by proxy (using others to help cyberbully the victim, either with or without the accomplice's knowledge). Because cyberbullying by proxy often gets adults involved in the harassment, it is much more dangerous.

• The PENNSYLVANIA PTA recognizes that cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking is not limited to students, but might include members of the home, school, and community.

• The PENNSYLVANIA PTA believes schools should recognize the impact of bullying in all forms.  Schools should develop, implement and communicate educational programs designed to help the home, school, and community to recognize, oppose, prevent, and eliminate all forms of cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking.

• The PENNSYLVANIA PTA supports the schools’ efforts to provide staff training and the resources needed to effectively eliminate schools of cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking. The PENNSYLVANIA PTA also believes that parents must be included in each step of this planning process. 

• The PENNSYLVANIA PTA encourages each school to develop an all-encompassing response according to their school-wide disciplinary plan of reports of cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking that includes all those involved, appropriate staff, and the parents of each child involved.

• The PENNSYLVANIA PTA strongly believes law enforcement be alerted to any cases of cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking when warranted.

• The PENNSYLVANIA PTA supports legislation that would provide adequate resources and support for victims of cyberbullying/cyber-harassment/cyberstalking and their families and set mandated penalties for offenders.