Emergency Atlanta Locksmith Service
in Atlanta, GA Call 770-339-1616 or 404-525-4500
By Lisa Cunningham, Director of Communications
The recent death of an 18 year-old Rutgers University freshman after two classmates posted an intimate video of him on the internet has generated a lot of talk about cyber bullying. In fact, according to the website, wiredsafety.org, an astonishing 36 suicides in the past four years have been attributed to cyberbullying.
What is cyberbullying?
According to the website, Stopcyberbullying.org, cyberbullying is any type of online or digital torment which is instigated or perpetrated by one minor against another. In cyberbullying, a child, preteen, or teen uses the internet, interactive and digital technologies, or mobile phones to torment, threaten, harass, humiliate, embarass, or otherwise target another minor.
Examples of cyberbullying include the following:
Why do children cyberbully?
As with regular, schoolyard bullying, reasons and motives for cyberbullying differ from child to child. Some children bully out of anger; others are coerced into bullying as a result of peer pressure. Whatever the case, bullying should always be taken seriously.
Isn’t cyberbullying against the law?
According to wiredsafety.org, 45 states do have anti-cyberbullying laws. Cyberbullying can result in misdemeanor or cyber harassment charges, or if the child is very young, charges of juvenile delinquency.
However, if torment or harassment escalates to cyberstalking–harassment which is instigated by adults–or overt threats, don’t wait. Call law enforcement immediately! And, if your child’s personal contact information is posted online, contact the authorities.
Be sure to print out all instances of cyberbullying, and take with you any live, electronic evidence of cyberbullying (harmful or hurtful videos posted online, etc.).
How can I protect my child against cyberbullying?
Keeping the lines of communication open with your child is the best way to stay on top of what’s happening in his or her life. Talk openly and honestly with your child about what is appropriate or inappropriate online behavior. Here are just a few tips to help you along:
For more information about cyberbullying, visit wiredsafety.org or stopcyberbullying.org.
And for regular, timely safety tips and updates, be sure to subscribe to this blog.
For the first few months of my son’s fourth-grade year, he suffered from recurrent headaches and stomachaches. This was odd, considering that he has always been a very healthy child. It was even odder that he suffered from these ailments only on school days. It didn’t take me long to suspect that my son was being bullied by his classmates. After a few conversations with him, I discovered I was right.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, approximately half of all children are bullied at some point during their school years, and at least 10% of children are bullied on a regular basis.
What is bullying? Simply put, it’s the intentional, repeated tormenting of another person in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. Bullying can involve name calling, teasing, taunting, spreading rumors, trying to make others reject someone, or cyberbullying (sending cruel instant messages or email messages or posting negative messages about someone on websites).
In my son’s case, two of his classmates were calling him names, taking his school supplies, and in many instances, disrupting the class, picking on other students, and blaming it on him.
While you can’t fight your child’s battles, there are things you can do to address and hopefully stop, bullying. The first and most important thing you can do is pay attention to the warning signs, which may include some or all of the following:
If you notice these signs or any sudden, obvious change in your child’s behavior, address it immediately. And if you find that your child is being bullied, by all means, take it seriously! Bullying can have a long-term, even lifelong, negative effect on your child. Talk to your child’s teachers and administrators and if need be, the bully’s parents.
That’s what I did in my son’s case. After repeated meetings with and letters to teachers and school administrators failed to stop the bullying, I requested a meeting with the bullies’ parents. Turns out, school officials had not made the parents aware of their children’s behavior. After our conversation, they addressed the issue with their children. Thanks to their cooperation and quick response, my son and his classmates now enjoy a bully-free classroom experience.
Download the free Pop-A-Lock Locksmith iPhone app now!
