By Melissa Brown and Morgan Champion
Researchers from Boston University recently published, “The COVID-19 Pandemic Disrupted Both School Bullying and Cyberbullying,” a first -of-its-kind study about bullying in schools amid the pandemic. Anti-bullying advocates and educators for Pearson Virtual Schools, Morgan Champion and Melissa Brown reflect on how online schools have been a welcoming and safe place for bullied students for years.
MORGAN: Melissa, what did you think of the study?
MELISSA: I love that the researchers looked at this data—and the results are good news. Learning that cyberbullying decreased during one of the most trying times our world has faced was really encouraging but not totally surprising to me. The finding is consistent with what I've seen at full-time online schools for the past 12 years. Online schools are known to support the needs of students who have been bullied. In fact, prior to the pandemic over 40% of students who enrolled at a Connections Academy school reported experiencing some form of bullying.
MORGAN: Melissa, why do students who are bullied seek online school?
MELISSA: Children come to Connections Academy schools for so many reasons, but over time, and consistently, we've found that students who have been bullied come to us for respite. As we know, bullying affects mental health and wellbeing of students. Removing negative face-to-face interactions that can happen on a daily basis in a brick-and-mortar setting allows students the freedom to be themselves and enjoy school again. I think of a student who came to us in 6th grade: he was overweight and students in his school were merciless, calling him names and making it very hard for him to do anything but survive. He came to our school, took some time to focus on his academics and heal. He returned to his bricks-and-mortar school and will graduate this year. We call that success.
MELISSA: Some might assume that being in a virtual school would lead to more cyberbullying. Is that the case?
MORGAN: We find our students are welcoming and kind to one another. Especially students who have been bullied in previous school settings. They know what that feels like and are often less likely to treat their friends and classmates the same way. Our code of conduct directly addresses issues of bullying and harassment, and staff are well-versed in how to address these issues with families.
MELISSA: Do you believe the online school environment is safer than the traditional brick-and-mortar setting?
MORGAN: Before we talk about the environment, it's important to address how students respond to their environment. From my experience as a counselor working with students in all types of schools, I believe the mental health of students is not being addressed holistically which affects the reactions students have to their environment. Our society needs to tackle that. As for the environment, the fact is students today are dealing with really stressful things -- things that online school can remove or lessen. Virtual school students are less worried about which bathroom to use, the threat of school violence, or increased social anxiety or pressure within the school building. We're able to create a learning environment where students contribute much like they would in a traditional school setting— meeting with teachers, classmates or school counselors, joining clubs.
MORGAN: Now that COVID is retreating, many students are going back to the bricks-and-mortar building. Why would a student choose to stay in an online school?
MELISSA: We've always said that a full-time virtual education isn't for every child, but for many, it is a perfect fit. Amid the pandemic, many families discovered that online learning worked really well for their child. Those families will seek out an established online school program like ours which has been serving students online for 20 years and where students will be met with a supportive environment and community. We will continue to be a place of respite for students who need it.
Melissa Brown is the Director of Connections Academy Schools at Pearson; Morgan Champion is the School Counseling Lead for Pearson's Virtual Schools division