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DO YOUR KIDS TELL YOU ABOUT
CYBER-BULLYING? |
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According to the Internet Safety organization,
i-Safe.org, 58% of children who are
victims of cyber-bullying do not tell their parents or any other adult
when something mean or hurtful happens to them online. That does
not mean that parents and teachers are unable to do anything about
cyber-bullying. The reality is that the Internet has brought us an
exciting, but potentially dangerous new world. The links and
information on this page will help parents navigate these treacherous
new waters and help them to help their children enjoy a safe online
experience. |
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WHAT TO ASK YOUR KIDS:
FROM RYAN PATRICK
HALLIGAN.COM |
OTHER RESOURCES |
If your child uses AOL IM
or any other instant message program you should sit down at the
computer with them and ask the following:
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What is(are) your
screen name(s) ? Are they portraying themselves with too
much information? (Age, Name, Interests) Or perhaps have
chosen too provocative of a screen name? Does the screen
name indicate a negative self view? Don't be surprised if
they have several screen names. You should ask them
why. Kids are trying on different personas in cyberspace
that they would never be able to in the physical world.
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What is in your profile(s)?
If they have multiple screen names, they have a profile
associated with each one. Are you comfortable with the
material they posted in there? Do they understand anyone
can view it? Do they understand it is wrong to cyberbully
someone in that small window of information?
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Who is on your
buddy list? Are you comfortable with the number and the
screen names?
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Do you know each
and every person on the list personally? Do you as the
parent know each one personally?
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Have you ever given
your password to a friend? Many kids are doing this today
as a test of trust with their friend. This is highly
dangerous too. Middle school friendships are fickle and
quite often the child's password is sent on to others. You
can imagine how a kid could ruin your child's reputation
while pretending to be them on-line.
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Parent/Child Internet
Use Contract
This document, which can
also be found on the
CyberBullying.us website, can be used by parents and children to set
reasonable and understandable "ground rules" for Internet use by
children.
Online Safety
Information For The Younger Net Surfers
Downloadable brochure from
NetSafe,
the home of
Hector Protector.
CYBER TIPLINE
From the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. |
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SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS TO
PREVENT CYBER-BULLYING |
PARENTS' ALLIES |
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Tips to help prevent cyberbullying:
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Keep your home computer(s) in easily viewable places, such as a
family room or kitchen.
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Talk regularly with your child about on-line activities he or she is
involved in.
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Talk specifically about cyberbullying and encourage your child to
tell you immediately if he or she is the victim of cyberbullying,
cyberstalking, or other illegal or troublesome on-line behavior.
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Encourage your child to tell you if he or she is aware of others who
may be the victims of such behavior.
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Explain that cyberbullying is harmful and unacceptable behavior.
Outline your expectations for responsible online behavior and make
it clear that there will be consequences for inappropriate behavior.
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Although adults must respect the privacy of children and youth,
concerns for your child’s safety may sometimes override these
privacy concerns. Tell your child that you may review his or her
on-line communications if you think there is reason for concern.
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Consider installing parental control filtering software and/or
tracking programs, but don’t rely solely on these tools.
From
Stop Bullying Now! |
Parents have allies when it comes to dealing
with cyber-bullying against, or even by, their children.
- Schools can and should teach
children about Internet safety and etiquette and have policies for
safe and responsible Internet use.
- Other parents can join with you in
helping all children learn that cyber-bullying is not "cool" and
admirable.
- Since cyber-bullying can lead to
crimes or attempted crimes, you can contact your local police.
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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD
EXPERIENCES CYBER-BULLYING |
ONLINE LEARNING |
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Strongly encourage
your child not to respond to the cyberbullying.
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Do not erase the
messages or pictures. Save these as evidence.
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Try to identify the
individual doing the cyberbullying. Even if the cyberbully is
anonymous (e.g., is using a fake name or someone else’s identity)
there may be a way to track them through your Internet Service
Provider. If the cyberbullying is criminal (or if you suspect that
it may be), contact the police and ask them to do the tracking.
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Sending
inappropriate language may violate the “Terms and Conditions” of
e-mail services, Internet Service Providers, web sites, and cell
phone companies. Consider contacting these providers and filing a
complaint.
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If the
cyberbullying is coming through e-mail or a cell phone, it may be
possible to block future contact from the cyberbully. Of course, the
cyberbully may assume a different identity and continue the
bullying.
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Contact your
school. If the cyberbullying is occurring through your school
district’s Internet system, school administrators have an obligation
to intervene. Even if the cyberbullying is occurring off campus,
make your school administrators aware of the problem. They may be
able to help you resolve the cyberbullying or be watchful for
face-to-face bullying.
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Consider contacting
the cyberbully’s parents. These parents may be very concerned to
learn that their child has been cyberbullying others, and they may
effectively put a stop to the bullying. On the other hand, these
parents may react very badly to your contacting them. So, proceed
cautiously. If you decide to contact a cyberbully’s parents,
communicate with them in writing — not face-to-face. Present proof
of the cyberbullying (e.g., copies of an e-mail message) and ask
them to make sure the cyberbullying stops.
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Consider contacting
an attorney in cases of serious cyberbullying. In some
circumstances, civil law permits victims to sue a bully or his or
her parents in order to recover damages.
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Contact the police
if cyberbullying involves acts such as:
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Threats of
violence
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Extortion
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Obscene or
harassing phone calls or text messages
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Harassment,
stalking, or hate crimes
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Child
pornography
If you are uncertain if cyberbullying violates your jurisdiction’s
criminal laws, contact your local police, who will advise you. |
Some locations where online training and
lessons are available are:
Stop
Bullying Now! Take A Stand, Lend A Hand. This
website include 12 "webisodes" that teach children about bullying
prevention. Webisode #5 is specifically directed toward
cyber-bullying.
i-Safe
has online training for educators and parents, as well as live Internet
training sessions in their Virtual Academy. The training sessions
are free of charge and quite useful and helpful. Children can
learn to be "i-Mentors" for other children and help them safely travel
the Internet.
Hector's World, hosted by
NetSafe in New Zealand, has an online teaching video and other
information for the youngest Netizens.
The
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children contains
learning materials, including the
NetSmartz Workshop for parents and guardians.
Webwise Kids
has resources, including "Mirror Image," an interactive computer game
that teaches about Internet safety. |
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WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?
Do you wonder what those curious
text-messaging acronyms mean? You know, the ones like BRB, POS,
LOL, and LMIRL. Download a comprehensive glossary of text-message
acronyms. (Thanks to KPIX, "CBS5" in San Francisco.) You can
also check out a Searchable Online Dictionary of text messaging
acronyms. |
DOWNLOAD GLOSSARY
ONLINE
DICTIONARY |
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