Chapter Ten - Preventing Cyberbullying
Summary
This chapter discusses the prevalence of cyberbullying and the important role that schools play in stopping and preventing this from occurring. Each teacher has a role is assessing whether cyberbullying is a problem in his or he classroom. The author suggests that teachers give students an anonymous survey asking them to describe if they have ever felt marginalized, hurt or bullied by others online. All schools should have clear and policies and rules laid out regarding the use of technology in the schools. In addition, educators should attempt to create an atmosphere in the school that is safe and that promotes positive character building. Peer mentors can also be effective in helping students who have been the victims of cyberbullying. The school should promote the role of the parent in efforts to reduce this harmful activity. Parents should be encouraged to monitor their children's online activity.
Reaction
I really enjoyed the beginning of this chapter where the author related letting your child browse the Internet unmonitored with dropping your child off in Washington D.C. by themselves to see the sights. While there is much that can be learned on the Web and many useful resources, parents need to monitor and guide their children so that they do not become exposed to the darker side of the Web. I also feel that parents need to be more involved in the online lives that their children lead. Not only do they need to look for signs that their own child is bullied, they need to be certain that their child is not bullying someone else. The schools can provide a rules for use and a moral atmosphere, but educators and administrators can only do so much. Much responsibility lies with the parents.
I enjoy using social networking sites like Facebook as an adult. However, I am glad it was NOT around when I was a teenager. There was already enough middle and high school drama without social networking sites and cell phones. I can only begin to imagine how complicated it must be for teenagers to navigate this new online world.
I can say that I did not use facebook or myspace (which was more popular at the time) during high school. Looking back, I believe that I would not have been mature enough to use such a tool effectivlely (nor am I now, but I'm getting better all the time, right?)
ReplyDeleteI can tell you, though, that kids are using these sites at younger and younger ages. Do you feel like that is appropriate? How early is too early to start telling your class about internet safety?
Complicated indeed, I agree. I think back to all the crazy stuff I did in my younger days and I thank God there were no camera phones. I am constantly lecturing my Niece about cell phone etiquette and informing her on the danger, not to mention the embarrassment of sending inappropriate. She rolls her eyes when I start my cell phone lecture, but hopefully, she’s getting it.
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