CYBERBULLIES

Our technology seems to have a lot to do with this problem of cyberbullying. One can anonymously post comments under fictitious names or accounts. These cyberbullies then think that they can get away with posting or sending IM's with no fear of getting caught. Our technology provides an environment where there is no physical or verbal interaction and this seems to appeal to those that are cyberbullying. They are able to hide behind the computer and watch how the person reacts to the messages that they have sent. It also seems that this disconnect or lack of physical confrontation seems to magnify how cruel they can be in cyberspace by saying or doing things that they might not do in public setting.
The Internet seems to allow these users to act in ways that they would not in public or even a private setting. If the person was in school or out in public they might not act out in this way or engage in the confrontation. When these same people are behind the screen it seems they write everything that they are thinking of with no regard for the person that they are focusing their assault on. Hate group websites seem to be just as nasty in the things that they post or have on their sites. The best thing in that case is to avoid those sites. I think that they can post what they want on their site and we all have to use are better judgement in what is right or wrong.
I believe that to avoid these problems in the classroom were have to encourage respect and reinforce good character among the students. The students should also be made aware that we act the same way in cyberspace, while texting, or other forms of communication that in which others can be hurt by derogatory comments. They should also be aware that the person on the receiving end will be just as hurt by these comments as if they were in public setting in front of a large audience. I believe that parents also have to reinforce this behavior with their children. The same way that most parents teach their children how to act in public or private by being courteous, respectful, or show good character we must extend this to the cyber world. Parents should remind children that this should be done throughout our daily routines. Parents should also monitor what their children are doing on the Internet so that they are not victims or the cyberbully on an attack of another.
I have learned from these readings that most are much nastier on the Internet and cyberspace than they might otherwise be outside of this environment. We all have to let others know that this is just as hurtful to the victim.

Here are a few sites that might be interesting.

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
Has lots of information on subject such as prevention, action, and whats the law.

http://www.cyberbullying.org/
Provides a good way to find information on the person sending the comments and websites to
help with this as well.

http://www.online-bully.com/index.html
Provides information on how, who, and what we can do.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-03-06-cover-cyberbullies_x.htm
Good article on on both ends of this problem.

http://www.ncpc.org/newsroom/current-campaigns/cyberbullying/
Lots of information on prevention and whats in the news.

http://www.isafe.org/channels/sub.php?ch=op&sub_id=media_cyber_bullying
Statistics and tips on how to prevent cyberbullying.

http://www.cyberbullying.us/
Cases of the cruelty and quiz. Also has some blogs on the subject.

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/
This is a good site for kids prevention and how to deal with. Also has an adult page.

http://www.mcgruff.org/Advice/cyberbullies.php
Uses the McGuff character to address this problem.

http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying
Give a few facts on this problem. Also links of how to do something.