Statistics on Reported Cyberbullying Cases in Primary and Secondary Schools in Last Three Years and Measures to Protect Children against Cyberbullying
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the statistics on cyberbullying cases in schools and measures to protect children, as raised by Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong. Minister Lawrence Wong stated that reported incidents remain low and stable, with schools utilizing Cyber Wellness lessons and disciplinary actions to guide perpetrators and restore relationships. Counseling support and referrals to agencies like REACH are provided to victims and perpetrators to facilitate restorative outcomes and specialized support. Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted that schools are supported by ICT infrastructure, including network filtering and security protocols against threats like phishing and ransomware. Finally, resources are shared with parents regarding device monitoring and parental controls to further reduce students' exposure to cyber risks.
Transcript
24 Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for Education (a) over the last three years, what is the number of cases of cyberbullying reported in primary and secondary schools respectively; (b) whether there are established guidelines of corrective actions to be taken against the perpetrators; and (c) whether the Ministry has plans to further develop cybersecurity infrastructure and legal frameworks to protect children against cyberbullying.
Mr Lawrence Wong: MOE and schools take a serious view of all bullying incidents, including cyberbullying. Schools put in place school rules and ICT policies to create safe and supportive learning environments, both physical and online. Through the Cyber Wellness lessons, students are taught to protect themselves online, as well as help their peers who have been bullied.
The number of reported cyberbullying incidents remains low and stable over the past three years. When cyberbullying incidents occur, our primary approach is to help students learn from their mistakes, restore relationships and refrain from future occurrences. When the cases are reported, they are promptly investigated, and appropriate disciplinary action is taken to guide perpetrators and restore relationships with those whom they have hurt. Counselling support is also provided to victims and perpetrators. Referrals may be made to Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community mental Health (REACH) as well as social and community agencies for specialised support.
Schools are also supported by ICT infrastructure with technologies such as network filtering of inappropriate content, network security and endpoint protection. Best practices in classroom management to encourage proper behaviours as well as security protocol against cybersecurity threats such as hijacking of online live lessons, phishing and ransomware are shared with schools. There are also resources available for parents, such as information on parental control and monitoring of students’ device usage to reduce the exposure to cyber risks.