Tim's Reflection

When discussing education and prevention of cyberbullying I will discuss from both the view as a parent and a teacher. What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is the act of hurting someone feelings using technology such as the computer cellphone or you tube. In a rescent poll by Wired Safety. org. only 15%of parents knew what cyberbullying was. However in the poll 90% of middle school aged children reportted having their feelings hurt, and 75% admitted to visiting a site making fun of another student. We as parents and teachers need to be more intune with our kids both at home and school. Some of the stratagies we can use as educators to prevent cyberbulling. 1. Be sure your schools bullying policy addresses cyberbullying. 2. closely monitor student use. 3. use filtering and tracking software on all computer. 4. Investigate all reports of cyberbulling imediately. 5. Notify both sets of children involved. 6. Notify police if needed. 7. monitor behavioir of affectted student. 8. Talk to students about the harm of cyberbulling 9. Investigate if victim needs professional help or support. Also Joseph M. Tully member of the Arizona Bar. Published a list of 7 Stratagies to discipline students without being sued. 1. Tell the parents. 2. 2. Try to avoid changes in placement. Such as alternative placement, suspension,expulsion this can trigger due process 3. Defer to parental authority to before imposing discipline 4. Remember providers haave service agreements. You as a eucator are within your rights to contact the students provider. 5. Understand your jurisdiction between school,civil, and criminal. 6. Use the problem as a teaching tool. 7. Emphasis appropriate internet behavior.
As a parent you have both amoral andlegal obligation to your child to know that they are engaged in safe and responsible on line behavior. Some key points to prevention. 1. Make it your business to know what your child is doing. 2. Place the computer in a public area of the home such as the kitchen. 3. Tell your kids what type of personal information is approriate to share. 4. Be upfront with your kids tell them you will be monitoring them for their safety. 5. Watch for secretive or withdraw behavior. 6. Install keystroke monitoring software. 7. Monitor cell phone logs and you tube also. Most importantly be part of your childs lives show interest in what they do, who their friends are. What are their dreams and goals. Are they happy? EAT DINNER TOGETHER WHEN POSSIBLE TALK AND MORE IMPORTANTLY LISTEN TO THEM.
Sources: WREN Cyberbulling What Eucators Can Do April 26 2007
WREN The Outer Limits: Disciplining Student without Getting Sued 2007
Charity Guide Preventing Cyberbullying by Beth Hering
Wired Safety.org Parenting on Line
2o plus years in teaching father of 4 for 24 years