In the past few weeks there has
been much media coverage regarding cyber-bullying and face-to-face
interactions. The latest media push is
for schools to take on the responsibility of educating students to use
technology safely and appropriately. At
St Bernard’s this happens all the time – but it is up to the students to put
what they have been taught into practice.
Students need to take heed of what they have been taught and to act responsibly. Interestingly, media reports note that the
majority of inappropriate actions occur out of school hours.
While the focus is on inappropriate actions and
inappropriate use of technology there appears to be a much larger issue
regarding a lack of respect for others and an unwillingness for people to take
responsibility for their actions. It is
not another person’s role to be the guardian or filter for someone – it is the
person’s responsibility to be accountable for their actions and to be respectful
of others – whether they can directly see them or not.
In a climate where there appears to be a swiftness to make a
sharp reply if we all implemented the ‘R’ of our BERNI’s (Respect All) then we
may experience a more settled environment where another is valued and
respected. When respect for another is
ingrained in a person filtering of responses becomes automatic. The issue of inappropriate comments and
responses to another does not occur.
