What Exactly Is Cyberbullying?

What Exactly Is Cyberbullying?

from Digital Smarts Blog by Power to Learn

As we've watched how kids interact online, we've found that behavior online is much like kids' behavior in school and in the community. They try out words they consider "bad", tease friends, make sexual jokes and references, ignore some kids, and make fun of other kids. Those who've been in education a long time, remember the sadness brought about by slam books (books where kids wrote nasty reviews of others in a class). We also know that kids exclude others from lunch tables, parties, and friendship groups. Although none of this could be considered nice or kind, it's what some kids do. As teachers and parents, we try our best to stop it, but much of it happens when it's impossible for us to notice. It's the same with online communication. So how can we tell the difference between normal kid behavior that is inappropriate and bullying or cyberbullying?  Bullying and cyberbullying are when the teasing, "bad" words, etc. isn't among friends who are just having fun trying out inappropriate behaviors. It's inappropriate behavior that continues and sometimes escalates into threatening behavior. It's using the anonymity of the Web to hurt others by posting unattractive or revealing images/video and/or inappropriate and/or inaccurate comments. It's not normal kid behavior that parents and teachers must deal with and correct. It's much more. But be careful that you know the difference - overreacting can be as bad as not reacting at all. Another dilemma of parenting in the digital age.

 

Social Networking Sites: Growing Use Among Tweens and Teens, but a Growing Threat as Well?

Social networking websites are assuming a new role - they're not just the place to meet, greet, post and poke, but are emerging as important content and media channels. Now more than ever, youth are putting their lives online - updating their status, tagging photos and posting videos on sites like MySpace, Facebook or Bebo. In this edition of Trends & Tudes, we explore who these new users are and draw on recent research to investigate some of the risks often associated with online social networking.
Click here to get the report.

A Parents Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety

"A Parents Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety," provides step-by-step information about setting up parental controls on the latest game consoles and numerous tips to help manage your child’s online game play.

Good practice guidance for the providers of social networking

Good practice guidance for the providers of social networking and other user interactive services 2008

The first UK Social Networking Guidance provides advice for industry, parents and children about how to stay safe online. This has been developed by a taskforce of representatives from industry, charity and law enforcement agencies including Vodafone, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/social-networking-guidance

WEB|WISE|KIDS: Ambassador to Youth

Katie was only 15 when she met 22-year old John in an Internet chat room. Katie and John immediately began emailing each other several times a day. Before long, Katie was convinced they were in love.

A few weeks into the relationship, John told Katie that he was ready to meet her in person. While Katie was eager to spend time with her “boyfriend”, Katie’s parents were horrified by the idea of John coming to their home.

Katie’s father, concerned that Katie might leave home to be with John against her parent’s wishes, went to the police for help. An officer gave him a copy of the MISSING game and suggested that the family play it together.

After playing the MISSING game, Katie realized for herself that John was not a friend, but a child predator. Katie’s family notified the police of their suspicions and shortly afterward the San Francisco Police Department discovered that John was the primary suspect in the rape of a 13-year old girl. The younger girl had also met John in an Internet chat room. Without a doubt, John was planning for Katie to be his next victim.

Katie turned over all of the gifts, letters and computer files she had from John. She also appeared at John’s trial to present testimony about the method he used to try to seduce her — not surprisingly it was the same method he had used with his 13-year old victim. With Katie’s supporting evidence, John was sentenced to twenty years in prison.

MISSING reached Katie at her own level and caused her to re-evaluate her relationship with John in time to prevent disaster.

Ambassador to Youth

Katie is now the Ambassador to Youth for Web Wise Kids. She shares her powerful first-hand testimony with other young teens and parents to let them know that what happened to her and her family can also happen to them. She is sought after for television, radio and print interviews and has testified before state congressional hearings. Please contact us if you are interested in scheduling her speak.

http://www.webwisekids.org/index.asp?page=katiesStory

Ammo for parents concerned about MySpace

Komando.com, Website for The Kim Komando Radio Show®, Kim's Tips

I've done my best to emphasize the dangers of social networking sites like MySpace.com. I've written about it and talked about it a lot. It's one of the most popular sites among teens and claims well over 50 million members.

For the most part, parents get the message. But warnings may not be enough to convince the kids to be safe. I've received a lot of e-mail from concerned and frustrated parents who have tried talking with their children. Teens can be especially skeptical of parental advice.

WGCU Gulf Coast Live: High Tech Bullying

High Tech Bullying

Mar. 19, 2008

While bullies have probably been around as long as people have, with the advent of the Internet and the prevalence of cell phones, bullying is being taken to a whole new level. Anti-bullying laws are being debated once again in Tallahassee. We’ll talk with FGCU professor Russ Sabella about a program he’s created to teach parents how to protect their kids from cyber bullying. He’ll also help us learn how to spot a child that’s showing suicidal tendencies brought on by bullying. Is this becoming a problem? Check Bullycide and decide for yourself. Learn more about Dr. Russell Sabella. Watch the Frontline special on kids Growing Up Online.

http://www.wgcu.org/gulfcoastlive/

Or, listen to the show directly at mms://quartz.fgcu.edu/gclive/WM031908.wma