2005 Revised and Updated Educator's Guide to Curriculum, Technology, and Education Reform Authors: Amy Benish, Cheryl Cheifetz, Kim Darche, Pat Reed, Max Uhls |
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Introduction
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Online BullyingWritten by Kim Darche, Technology Coordinator St. John Fisher School In the electronic society in which we reside, instant communication has exceeded our expectations. We can make a stock market trade in a minute, book a vacation in 30, shop instantly at stores which may be miles away. We can design family websites, contact all our dearest friends in an instant, text our spouses and ask them to pick up milk on the way home. Communication of this nature makes the home telephone seem antiquated. While adults have had to become accustomed to this “always connected lifestyle”, our children have been born into it. They are consumed by it. Punishment has changed from “Go to your room!” to “Hand over your cell phone!”. Not only have kids and teenagers had to adjust to the continuous accessibility, they have also been faced with the downside of it. Online bullying is a new phenomenon facing children in the 21 st century. In 2000, the University of New Hampshire's Crimes against Children Research Center discovered one in 17 kids ages 10 to 17 have been threatened online and that number is increasing (Giannetti). Online bullying runs the gambit from nasty emails to websites depicting students in false situations, listing their worst fears, or darkest secrets. Parents who are buying the electronic gadget of the day are often unaware of the dangers of their misuse. Parents need to stay aware of the types of online communication in which their children partake so that they can watch for online bullying, help prevent it and/or deal with cyberbullying.
Online bullying is appealing to kids for several reasons. Since most computers are still hidden in a basement or in a teenager’s bedroom, out of the watchful eye of parents, kids believe they are free to do whatever they wish. It is also extremely easy to a teen to find a small place in cyberspace to express their thoughts that can be nearly impossible for a parent to discover without directly asking their child. "Disinhibition" is a term which describes the way “t he Internet allows "space" between "speaker" and "hearer" in a conversation” (parentscentre). T he computer offers a place to be “faceless” kids, not seeing on another’s child’s body language, or instant feedback and because of this the teasing can be relentless. On one side of a computer a student can be in tears while another is laughing uncontrollably. Kids can hide behind roles they play, so they say things they'd never say to someone in person. It's a lot easier to gang up on someone when real names and real faces aren't attached to attackers or victim. Parents and teachers can help prevent bullying through technology If a child is being victimized by bullies online often they are embarrassed or ashamed. It is important to open the lines of communication about cyberbullying with children. Teachers and parents inform kids that they are aware of cyberbullying and its effects. Steps must be taken to curtail bullying. Parents should:
Source: National PTA Website Kids should:
Schools should:
Source: Media Awareness Network Helpful Websites for Kids Bibliography Parent Center. Cyberbullying, Accessed July 21, 2005 CBS News – The Early Show, Cyber Bullying Growing Accessed July 20, 2005 Giannetti, Charlene and Sagarese, Margaret, The Newest Breed of Bully, the Cyberbully Accessed July 21, 2005 Challenging Cyber Bullying, Accessed July 24, 2005
Last Updated: 08/02/2005 |
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