Cyber-bullying
School-aged children quickly learn to make friends, display preferences and establish their own social circles. This interaction used to take place in person, via notes or letters, or via the home telephone. Affordable technology has now provided our children with new methods of communicating, including ‘online’ via various methods on the internet and also through personal cellphone text messages.
Unfortunately, those communication channels can also be used as a channel for harassment or bullying, bringing this childhood threat out from the school playground and into our homes.
Cyber-bullying can range from unwanted negative remarks to threats and disclosure of personal information and can include:
Tips for children:
Just like in real life, there is a difference between what is right and what is wrong on the internet. If something doesn’t feel right, tell someone that you trust.
Tips for parents:
More resources:
Cyber-bullying is a popular topic, with many groups, governments and schools providing information through various websites. Here are a few examples:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/activities/social.mspx
Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how you can protect your family online.
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