Pedro: Bullying does not stop at the door anymore.

Pedro: Bullying does not stop at the door anymore.

Digital communication between students, according to Pedro De Bruyckere, researcher and educator, does not take place separately from reality at school. "Children no longer really experience a difference between offline and online," he explains.

What happens in group chats also affects the classroom. That can be positive, for example when students share information, but also negative: “Bullying no longer stops at the door.”

Parallel circuits

According to De Bruyckere, unofficial channels play a large role in how students interact with each other. “There have always been parallel circuits,” he says, referring to group chats outside of school. These channels arise naturally and are outside the school’s view, which means multiple networks exist alongside each other. According to De Bruyckere, this makes it extra difficult to get a complete overview of what is happening.

Digital communication among parents

Digital communication also plays a growing role among parents. “It can make communication easier,” says De Bruyckere about parent apps. At the same time, he sees risks, such as “an overabundance of contact” and situations where “something communicated by one person can get seriously blown out of proportion.” Differences can also arise between parents: “Some parents become very active and others quiet.” According to him, balance is therefore essential. “Easy communication among many parents at once should be a tool, not a goal in itself. One principle remains central for both parents and schools: “Good agreements make good friends.”