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East Syracuse-Minoa Students Learn How to be "Upstanders," not "Bystanders" to Cyberbullying

Scott Willis
/
WAER News

Siena College Students and  AT&T brought a workshop to East Syracuse Minoa High School Thursday to make students aware of how to deal with Cyberbullying.  One of the most meaningful ways is to intervene by becoming “Upstander Ambassadors," as conveyed in this skit.

“Why do you keep posting pictures of them on Snapchat?" asks a female student.

"Because they're going to the thrift shop.  That's nasty," replied a male student.

"What if that's all she can afford?  It doesn't matter.  Just delete the pictures because she's getting the clothes she needs."

"Whatever.” 

The example was a part of a day of workshops to shed light on the problem that is too often a reality for Central New York students.  In a poll last year, 31 percent of local students indicated they had been victims of cyberbullying.  Emily Murphy is a Junior at Siena College.  During high school she was bullied for wearing too much make-up and her clothes.

Credit Scott Willis / WAER News
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WAER News
Students meet prior to performing their skit on stage.

For those who have been victims because they're able now to share their stories and become upstanders and help others going through it.  But we're also helping those who maybe don’t know how to cope.” 

That’s why it’s essential to have the training because the impacts of a bully’s actions might cut deep.  AT&T Director of External Affairs Kevin Hanna says the while there are great benefits to mobile devices, there are also “dark sides.”

“Cyberbullying certainly harms students, and it can be taken to an extreme where, unfortunately, kids have committed suicide because of the tremendous pressure and cyberbulling that they have felt.”

ESM Senior Cooper Pokrentowski says he is fortunate to have a strong group of friends now… but he used to struggle with bullying.

“For something that is already a problem like bullying, this [mobile devices, social media] just amplifies the power that it can have, especially in high school.  We live in such a material world, it's very easy to cling on to something and to have that to antagonize.” 

Sienna College Students led peer to peer conversations about cyberbullying with 20 ESM student leaders.  Afterwards, a full school presentation outlined the dangers of cyberbullying and how to become an Upstander of good versus a bystander.

Credit Scott Willis / WAER News
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WAER News

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.