Research+Summary

The use of computers and technology have impacted our lives tremendously. Computers are used to make our lives easier in many areas. We can get work done faster. We can keep in touch with friends easily. We can research any given topic with just a few keystrokes. As technology advances and the speed and capabilities of computers grow, our concern for a topic relating to the use of such technologies should be growing as well. Our concern should be growing over the abuse of computers and technology through cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is harassment, threatening, torment, or humiliation through a technological means by a minor. If an adult is doing the harassment, it is not considered cyber bullying, but is considered cyber harassment or even cyber stalking ( [|http://www.stopcyberbullying.org]). Cyber bullying can be mean or vulgar language, posting sensitive or private information about another, or pretending to be someone else. It can occur through e-mails, instant messaging, web pages, blogs, chat rooms, discussion groups, social networking sites, and even text messaging. It is not limited to the Internet, but through any communication technology ([|http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.govv]). According to data collected by [|www.cyberbullying.us], 33% of youth have been cyber bullied. That is not a small population. Due to the increasing use of technology in school and at home, it is important for parents and teachers to take preventative measures against cyber bullying. Suggestions for parents include putting the computer in a viewable place such as the living room, review your child’s online communications if you have a reason for concern, or consider installing parental control filtering software. In addition, every parent should talk to their child about cyber bullying. Include information about what it is, what they should if they are a victim, and information regarding your expectations of their behavior towards others through communication technologies. In addition, parents should encourage their children to tell an adult if they are aware of someone who may be a victim ( http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/ ). Teachers are integral part of the cyber bullying prevention process. Teachers need to educate students, teachers, and other staff members about cyber bullying and its dangers. Most especially, teachers need to educate students on the harms of cyber bullying. Teachers should notify parents of students involved in a cyber bullying situation or even a suspected situation. Police need to be contacted if the situation involves threats of violence, extortion, obscene or harassing communications, hate crimes, stalking, or child pornography ( http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/ ). School districts need to make sure that anti-bullying policies address cyber bullying along with using tracking and filtering software. Reports of cyber bullying need to be investigated. If cyber bullying occurs through district’s network, the school is obligated to take action, and if it occurring outside the school, the district should look into action they can take to help the situation ( http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/ ). The effects of cyber bullying can be discovered through voices of teens themselves. One girl from New Zealand stated, //“// // Well I was talking on MSN one time...this girl messaged me saying that I'm gay, ugly and worthless. That made me feel so horrible inside....like I'm actually worthless” ( // http://cyberbullying.us/). Some stories are so tragic that the story can’t even be told by the child. Such is the tragic story of Ryan Halligan, a 13 year old boy who committed suicide after being harassed through e-mail and instant messaging. Megan Meier’s tragic story also tells the worst-case scenario of the effects of cyber bullying. She committed suicide after her online boyfriend, Josh, told her she was better off dead. Turns out there was not a Josh, but just a parent and her child harassing Megan through a fictional MySpace account. Needless to say, these tragedies could have been prevented had someone educated the individuals involved about cyber bullying effects and prevention. There are many resources available for parents, teachers, and students to use to help prevent these tragedies from repeating. The following are some of the resources we found. __  **Resources for Teachers** __ [|http://www.isafe.org] This site provides a comprehensive curriculum about Internet safety including the topics of privacy, cyber relationships, cyber bullying, cyber community, cyber security, intellectual property, personal safety, predator identification, and pornography. The curriculum is free, however, teachers must first complete the online training before they may access the many, many resources available. http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/ This site provides information about cyber bullying, prevention, taking action, and the law. Quizzes for students to determine if they are a bully or are being bullied are provides. Also, the Megan Pledge is available for teachers to print out and complete with their students. __**Resources for students**__ http://www.wiredkids.org/ktt_universal/games/javascript/cyberbullying_quiz_1/index.html This is a link to a quiz that students can take in order to tell if they are being cyber-bullied or if they are the ones doing the bullying. Many students do not realize that what they are doing online is wrong. http://www.netsmartz.org/ This site has information on how to be smart when using the Internet. There are sections for students, parents, teachers, and law enforcement. It has information and videos about cyberbullying as well as other Internet safety related topics. **__ Resources for Parents  __** http://www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org/ A web site created by the parents of Ryan Halligan. There are many resources for both parents and teachers to use in educating about cyber bullying. With the use of communication technologies increasing, it has never been more important to educate our students about the devastating effects of cyber bullying. As educators it is our job to educate students to use technology responsibly. Just as we teach students to have positive relationships in the classroom, it is just as important to teach them to have positive cyber relationships, ones that are bully free.