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— Make Time to Listen; Take Time to Talk
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Make Time to Listen…Take Time to Talk about Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying is a growing concern among parents as computers and cell phones are becoming a mainstay in every child's life. Cyber bullying occurs when a person is being targeted negatively by another person using the Internet and other technologies (cell phones, text messaging, etc.). Cyber bullying is different from other forms of bullying because the roles of bully and victim can change so quickly. Cyber Bullying can consist of a threatening email, nasty instant messaging, repeated notes sent to the cell phone, a website set up to mock others, "borrowing" someone's screen name and pretending to be them while posting a message, or forwarding supposedly private messages, pictures, or video to others. A research study done by i-SAFE America found that among 1500 students ranging from fourth grade to eighth grade, 42% of kids had been bullied while online. 58% of kids admitted someone had said mean or hurtful things to them online and 53% of kids admitted to having said something mean or hurtful things to another online.
Ask your child these questions:
- Have you witnessed cyber bullying? How was it done? What happened?
- What are some consequences to this form of bullying?
- Why is cyber bullying different than other types of bullying?
- If a rumor is started, can it really hurt the individual being targeted?
- What can you do about cyber bullying?
For more information visit http://www.isafe.org/.
