Cyberbullying:

A problem no longer under parents' radar

We are all familiar with the schoolyard bullies. Cyberbullying is the online equivalent. It involves young people on both sides of the communications. Cyberbullying is a growing problem, although few parents are aware that cyberbullying even exists. They are rarely aware of the dangers posed by cyberbullying. Unfortunately children carefully keep cyberbullying from their parents, sometimes until it is too late.  

Cyberbullying is any kind of harassment, insults and humiliation that uses mobile, wireless or Internet-related technology in some way to hurt another child, preteen or teen. Kids or teens are on both sides of a cyberbullying. (If an adult is involved as either the bully or the victim it is cyber-harassment, not cyberbullying.) 

Children as young as nine years old are finding themselves harassed via blogs, websites, text-messaging and instant messaging. And, many retaliate by becoming cyberbullies themselves. This project will target students ages 9 to 14.

Cyberbullying can take many forms. It can be a website where children can vote for the ugliest, most unpopular or fattest girl in the school. It can involve sending private and very personal information or images to others or posting them online for the public to see. Former best friends can betray the other’s trust or passwords. And password hints can be easy to guess for a fellow classmate or young neighbor, leaving their entire account open for vandalism. Interactive-gaming is another way cyberbullies target their victims, setting them up for embarrassment and harassment. 

This presentation will bring to light many of the dangers associated with the internet and give students information to help combat those vulnerable times when their emotions are directing them to make poor choices..