"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.
Legal and Safety Concerns related to cyber bullying
1. Technology is growing at a much more rapid pace than the legal system. This has caused several issues related cyber bullying. Many cases that have o are 'firsts' and the legal system is learning how to cope with the situations as they happen.
2. School responsibility: There are regulations that schools follow regarding cyberbullying although they are subject to opinion. For example: School officials have the authority to respond to off-campus student speech if that speech has caused, or there are particular reasons to believe it could cause, a substantial disruption at school or interference with the rights of students to be secure. Schools DO NOT have the authority to monitor students' behavior off campus or after school hours. This can create a grey area when/if actions spill over to school time
2. School responsibility: There are regulations that schools follow regarding cyberbullying although they are subject to opinion. For example: School officials have the authority to respond to off-campus student speech if that speech has caused, or there are particular reasons to believe it could cause, a substantial disruption at school or interference with the rights of students to be secure. Schools DO NOT have the authority to monitor students' behavior off campus or after school hours. This can create a grey area when/if actions spill over to school time
Tips for Kids
1.Don’t be a bully. How would you feel if someone harassed you? You know the old saying about walking a mile in someone’s shoes; even a few seconds of thinking about how another person might feel can put a big damper on aggression. That’s needed in this world.
2. Be a friend, not a bystander. Watching or forwarding mean messages empowers bullies and hurts victims even more. If you can, tell bullies to stop or let them know harassment makes people look stupid and mean. It’s time to let bullies know their behavior is unacceptable – cruel abuse of fellow human beings. If you can’t stop the bully, at least try to help the victim and report the behavior.
3. Talk to a trusted adult. You deserve backup. It’s always good to involve a parent but – if you can’t – a school counselor usually knows how to help. Sometimes both are needed. If you’re really nervous about saying something, see if there’s a way to report the incident anonymously at school.
2. Be a friend, not a bystander. Watching or forwarding mean messages empowers bullies and hurts victims even more. If you can, tell bullies to stop or let them know harassment makes people look stupid and mean. It’s time to let bullies know their behavior is unacceptable – cruel abuse of fellow human beings. If you can’t stop the bully, at least try to help the victim and report the behavior.
3. Talk to a trusted adult. You deserve backup. It’s always good to involve a parent but – if you can’t – a school counselor usually knows how to help. Sometimes both are needed. If you’re really nervous about saying something, see if there’s a way to report the incident anonymously at school.
Tips for Parents
1. Cyber bullying can happen in the comfort of your own home/bedroom
2. Learn and understand the various forms of technology (internet, chat rooms, social networks) so you can monitor your child's actions.
3. Communicate openly with your child about cyber bullying. The more parents discuss topics related to cyber bullying, the more comfortable your child will be to talk openly about it with the parents.
2. Learn and understand the various forms of technology (internet, chat rooms, social networks) so you can monitor your child's actions.
3. Communicate openly with your child about cyber bullying. The more parents discuss topics related to cyber bullying, the more comfortable your child will be to talk openly about it with the parents.
Tips for Educators
1. Define CLEAR expectations to your students to show that bullying is NOT acceptable in schools.
2. Create a positive school climate. Research shows that students bully less when they feel comfortable and are welcomed in a safe environment.
3. Educate your community on cyber bullying.
2. Create a positive school climate. Research shows that students bully less when they feel comfortable and are welcomed in a safe environment.
3. Educate your community on cyber bullying.
Resource Links
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bullying.htm
http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
Click to set custom HTML
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZgpmuz2MQc