Lecture by Tanja Hannappel from the NRW State Prevention Office
Tanja Hannappel gave a presentation entitled “Children, young people and online hate – what to do about bullying and cyberbullying?” as part of the Erasmus project meeting “Bullying a matter of self-esteem” at Sophie-Scholl-Berufskolleg (SBK) in Duisburg. She was supported by Inga Fromm, teacher at the SBK and co-responsible for the organization and implementation of the project, who translated the lecture into English for the project partners.
During her presentation, Tanja Hannappel discussed study results, theoretical backgrounds, legal aspects, teaching materials for teachers and support services for pupils. She also looked at forms of bullying in everyday life and online (cyberbullying). An online introductory quiz showed that the international participants are experts in the field of bullying.
Nevertheless, those present were able to take away many new ideas and important insights. For example, one study found that 75% of young people are not controlled by their parents when using the internet and that there are two peak phases for bullying in Germany: one at the age of around 11/12 and another at the age of 15/16.
“Bullying takes place in three phases: Test phase, consolidation phase and manifestation phase. At the beginning, the bullies see who is suitable for humiliation and try out how the class reacts. If there is no resistance, the deviations from the social system of values and norms continue and teachers do not notice or even actively look the other way. Almost all of them are then directly or indirectly involved in the bullying process. The proportion of those who look away is the highest. But passivity supports the bullies! In the last phase, it is accepted to bully certain people. So the question is how bystanders can be turned into upstanders (supporters),” says Tanja Hannappel.
But why do so many look away and remain bystanders? The reasons for this are often Insecurity, helplessness, sympathy or friendships with the bullies and an unwillingness to take responsibility.
Schools have a great responsibility when it comes to bullying. They must develop a protection concept that also covers the area of cybercrime. Cyberbullying has an intensifying effect compared to bullying in real life, as it is difficult for victims to escape and there is a high degree of anonymity and publicity.
The State Prevention Office offers support and advice to teachers, trainee teachers and school social workers, for example, to actively combat (cyber)bullying and make school a safe place, including digitally.
Further information can be found at the following link:
https://www.duesseldorf.de/lps
Contact
Tanja Hannappel
State prevention center against violence and cyber violence at schools in NRW
tanja.hannappel@duesseldorf.de