Rosalind Wiseman wrote an article titled, "How to Fight the New Bullies," which focuses on the new form of bullying being done through chartrooms, text messaging, email and other networking sites. This is a dangerous form of harassment because it is anonymous. Although the legal and educational systems are working to address and defeat this issue, it is a difficult one to control. According to the article, cyberbullying is all too common, as 90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online and 75% have visited a website criticizing another student.
What kinds of kids are more likely to be a cyberbully?
Any child with access to a computer or phone can either become or fall prey to a cyberbully. Being big and intimidating is not a prerequisite for the cyberbully.
Even kids that would not normally torment others, feel empowered by the anonymity the Internet provides. This means that teachers and parents need to be on the lookout for this kind of behavior, even if they feel as though a certain child could never do something like this.
How this situation be combated?
If only 15% of parents know what cyberbullying is, then that is an issue in itself. Parents need to educate themselves about what their child is doing when it comes to the computer and cell phone. If they are very involved in their child’s life, teach them the correct way to use technology (and explain its damaging effects), then the student will be a lot less likely to be harsh to others. Even an action as simple as placing the computer in the living room instead in their bedroom will help them be accountable. The article also lists other ways in which this problem can be prevented, such as install monitoring and filtering software, and use technology as a way to reinforce family values.
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