For kids today, time spent on the internet can have as much of an impact on their social lives as many real world activities. Unfortunately, this means that your kids could potentially be exposed to negative interactions as well, such as cyberbullying. Typically this involves harassment or embarrassment through instant messenger, email, or chat rooms and message boards. As many as 1/3 of teens online say they have been victimized. In some instances, it can make its way into your child’s real world life, and cause some very traumatic outcomes. The tragedy of Megan Meier serves as a gruesome reminder of the potential real world consequences for a victim of cyberbullying. Megan had already been in an unsteady state, and was being harassed online by people who knew her and who were aware of her condition. Sadly, Megan’s story is not entirely unique, but it is especially disturbing since her victimizers were adults posing as a teen.
As the experts at the National Crime Prevention Council point out, the effects of cyberbullying can in many ways be harsher than offline bullying:
- These attacks occur in the child’s own home, taking away the place a child feels the safest.
- Potentially includes language that kids wouldn’t say to each other except for behind the veil of perceived anonymity online.
- It is far reaching; with just a mouse click a rumor or harassing message can be sent to the entire school, or beyond.
- It can seem inescapable, since it can transfer from online to offline into the places your child socializes.
Online stalkers and predators are certainly a concern for parents of kids and teens. But even if less apparent, parents and kids should be aware of cyberbullying and its impact. Take this issue seriously. Talk to your kids. Make sure they know they can trust you, and should tell you if someone or something is making them uncomfortable online. Check out WiredSafey’s Cyberbullying site for more information for both kids and adults on what you can do to prevent this from happening.
4 Comments on "Stand Up To Cyberbullying"
Mary Brown
Turn off the Internet. Arn’t there net nanny type programs that restrict access to certain web sites?
Can ISP monitor unacceptable transmissions?
Thanks
Cristal
This is so true!
there is myspace,
and mycribs. and everything.
people are just so addicted.
I AGREE!
lexi
its true my friend got victimized by cyber bullying she couldnt take it anymore so she broke her laptop she got for her birthday
Mickie
I work for an online gaming community, and all the above happens in many more places than just friends from school, myspace, etc. As parents, you need to know what kind of sites as well they are on, are they safe? Do they have people in place to watch for this conduct as well?
Its easy to say, get them off the computer, but if they are so “shy” not to go out and make friends, most use this as a way to fit in, but yet alot of times get faced with it again.
Aways let your children know they have you to talk to and confront these issues together.
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