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Earlier this year, the President and Mrs. Obama hosted the White House's first conference on bullying, which included live chats on Facebook and iVillage. At the conference, the President introduced a new anti-bullying Web site (stopbullying.gov), which provides information for children, parents, teachers and others seeking help with preventing bullying. While the primary focus of most anti-bullying efforts, including the Obamas', is middle school and high school students, college students are also vulnerable to intense bullying and cyberbullying attacks.

Though hazing and bullying used to be confined to the locker room, dorm room, or classroom, technology has expanded the platform of abuse to cell phones and Web sites, a practice known as cyberbullying. One statistic shows that one in five young people report they have experienced cyberbullying. The Anti-Discrimination League notes, "Cyberbullying messages can be circulated far and wide in an instant and are usually irrevocable; cyberbullying is ubiquitous--there is no refuge and victimization can be relentless; and cyberbullying is often anonymous and can rapidly swell as countless and unknown others join in on 'the fun.'"

Is online education impervious to bullying?

Though at its surface online schools might seem to insulate a student from others' harassment and bullying, modern online education technology supports a high degree of student-student and student-teacher interaction. Students are sometimes required to take place in online discussions and frequently use online education platforms to chat with students and professors. Though online students may not see what one another look like or what they're wearing, students often share their experiences as part of their coursework, which can leave them as vulnerable as they would be in a traditional classroom. As online education becomes more popular, it is even more important that students and professors remain vigilant in protecting themselves and others online.

Five steps to bullying prevention for online students

These five steps could help you or one of your fellow online classmates handle a potentially ugly situation:

1. Be aware of what cyberbullying is and what constitutes harassment. With the recent media attention, more people are learning what these online behaviors look like. If you're not sure, visit StopBullying.gov's "What is Bullying?" section.
2. Know what your school's policies are. In addition to federal and state laws, your school may have its own bullying and anti-harassment policies. If you can't find the policy readily available online, your Dean of Students should be able to help--or ask a trusted professor about the school's policy.
3. Develop a relationship with a professor or trusted school official. It'll be easier for you to report another student's behavior or concern if you already have an established relationship with someone at your school.
4. Speak up. Either in defense of yourself or another student, don't be afraid to express your concern about another online student's behavior, whether directly to that student, the class instructor, or another school official.
5. Be proactive and escalate an issue when appropriate. If pointing out inappropriate behavior directly to someone doesn't stop the behavior, don't be discouraged. You may need to push the issue to get resolution.

Colleges and universities should protect students from bullying

Last year, the Department of Education sent a letter to thousands of schools, including colleges and universities, to guide educators in combating bullying and to remind them that some bullying constitutes a civil rights violation. The letter outlines a school's legal obligations to its students to protect them against various kinds of harassment, including racial, disability, gender-based, and sexual harassment. "Although this letter focuses on the elementary and secondary school context, the legal principles also apply to post-secondary institutions covered by the laws and regulations enforced by the [Office of Civil Rights]," the letter stated.

At all levels of education, student-on-student harassment can negatively impact academic performance, cause absenteeism, and result in emotional and physical health problems for students. Some students have even been driven to suicide.

On-campus classrooms aren't the only college classrooms where the education community needs to be proactive to prevent bullying. If you're considering an online degree program, know that it is your school's responsibility to address bullying and harassment, regardless of the format in which your education is delivered. It's also your responsibility as a member of that online community to know the signs of student-on-student harassment and to support your fellow students.

For related news and other information from Schools.com, see:

• White House Hosts Conference on Bullying Prevention
• Online higher ed: Gaining momentum, facing challenges
• 4 'stupid myths' of online education
• Pathfinder - Explore Career Paths & Related Degree Programs (interactive tool)