Bullies have been around since they were kids. Today’s bullies are expanding their role to keep up with the ever-changing requirements of the 21st century digital cyber world. So, essentially, nothing has changed in the aggressors, except the way they exert their dominance over their victims.
Today’s bullies have incorporated the traditional heavy-handed abusive qualities of yesterday’s bullies with the modern technology of cyberspace, including social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, email, cell phones, and other types of digital technology. These modern day digital bullies of the cyber world have emerged as a new generation of bullies known as “Cyber Bullies”.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is one of the fastest growing problems facing school administrators and local governments across the country, and with the majority of these students using social networking sites like Facebook as one of their primary sources of communication , cyber bullying has become something of a dilemma
The definition of cyberbullying is when the Internet, cell phones, and other devices are used to send or post text or images with the intent to hurt or embarrass another person. It is a situation in which a child, most often in their teens, is repeatedly tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, or otherwise attacked by another child or teen, via text, email, messaging snapshot or any other type of digital media. technology.
Lauren Newby, a high school sophomore in Dallas, Texas, was the subject of malicious postings to a website message board thread that was started by a former student from the school she attended. The posts made fun of Lauren’s weight, saying, “People don’t like you because you’re a suicidal cow who can’t stop eating.” Lauren’s struggle with multiple sclerosis was also brought up saying, “I guess I’ll have to wait until you die, which I hope won’t be too long from now, or I’ll have to wait until your disease (MS) kills you.” As a result of these vicious posts, Lauren’s car was egged, the words “MOO BITCH” were written in shaving cream on the sidewalk in front of her house, and a bottle filled with acid was thrown on her doorstep.
What should you do?
There are two methods that have proven to be effective in combating cyberbullying. One method involves the use of a technical tool, such as surveillance software such as iMonitorPC, which is available at http://www.iMonitorPC.com, which can help concerned parents combat the growing threat of cyberbullying. Installing surveillance software on your children’s computer will record text and keystrokes. Using such software is intrusive and your children will definitely label you a spy, but it is as close as you can physically get over your children’s shoulder while they are online.
The second method involves the application of good parental guidance as well as the administration of good practical advice to their children. Keep in mind that parental guidance works well with young children, but can become challenging with adolescent children because of the temptation to rebel often presented by their peers. Giving good advice often works with teens, especially if you’ve developed a good parent-child relationship with your teen.
You can teach your children to beat cyberbullying by remembering the NASS rule:
NOever give personal information
In the hands of a cyber bully, passwords, photos, a home address, or a private phone number can become a weapon of intimidation. For example, if your Facebook password were compromised, a cyberstalker could lock you out of your own account and even post fake posts about other people leading them to believe you are the culprit.
Be selective about the type of photos you post online because once they enter cyberspace no one knows where they will end up. You’d be surprised what a little Photoshop work can do to manipulate a photo, making it look like something it’s not.
HASalways resist
If you are a victim of cyber bullying, you should not retaliate by fighting the bully with bullying. However, you should do your best to resist cyberbullying by reporting the bully’s actions to the appropriate authority. For example, if you have been victimized through your email, please inform your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If you don’t allow a cyber bully to use you to torment and embarrass others, the cyber bullying will end quickly.
yestop responding to cyber bully
When someone sends you a threatening message, you may feel a strong urge to respond with a message of your own – don’t! Cyberbullies expect you to respond, and when you do, they know they have you worried and upset. It is a form of mental terrorism that all cyber bullies use to cause fear to take over you.
yeswith any suspicious email or text message
If you suspect that you have been the victim of a cyber stalker, you should save your email and text messages; if the situation worsens, you may need them later as proof.
In addition to implementing the NASS As a general rule, if you are being cyberbullied, you should go to an adult you trust right away and report the situation before it gets out of hand. Never give up; keep reporting your situation until you find someone who is willing to help you.
However, if you are threatened with bodily harm, do not hesitate to call 911 and report the situation to the police immediately.