Technology is an excellent source that children and teachers can use to aid in learning. There is though a darker side of technology that will threaten the well being of students, and that dark side is Cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is obviously a danger to student's well being. Some learners will not be able to reach their potential because of technology being used in this manner. A child can be a faceless, nameless, and in some cases untraceable villian that tortures other students by online name calling.
Before technological advances most bullying took place on in schools or on the school play ground. With technology, these threats have now moved to cyberspace where seemingly anything goes. Teachers could see what was going on in past years, but now that bullying takes place in the 'air' teachers are not as able to stop problems as they once were able to.
Cyberbullies are able to frighten other children without physically assaulting them. This type of behavior is unacceptable but is very difficult to stop. There are several groups on the internet that promote this type of behavior and encourage young children to participate in HATE.
It is the responsibility of parents and teachers alike to instill good ethical and moral values in children. This type of behavior can be stopped by speaking to students and explaining the ramifications of their negative actions.
I have included 10 links that are associated with Cyberbullying below:
1. http://www.cyberbullying.us/
This site offers some valuable information on combatting Cyberbullying.
2. http://cyberbullying.org/
This site gives examples of Cyberbullying and explains in detail how it affects children.
3. http://www.cyber-threats.com/
This site tells how the government is helping combat Cyberbullying.
4. http://gtisc.gatech.edu/pdf/CyberThreatsReport2009.pdf
This site explains how widespread the issue of Cyberbullying is.
5. http://stopcyberbullying.org/
This site offers valuable information on how to stop Cyberbullying.
6. http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
This site is the National Crive Prevention Council and gives ways to combat Cyberbullying.
7. http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagoterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Community+Safety&L2=Cyber+Crime+%26+Internet+Safety&L3=Keeping+Young+People++Safe&sid=Cago&b=terminalcontent&f=community_cyberbullying&csid=Cago
This site has information from Attorney General Martha Coakley on Cyberbullying.
8. http://cyberbully.org/
This site tells how to promote safe internet usage against Cyberbullying.
9. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=3882520
This site gives a real world example of Cyberbullying and its drastic effects.
10. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/21/earlyshow/living/caught/main681867.shtml
This site offers an indepth detail of the effects of Cyberbullying.
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Yes, this is definitely a big concern for students. Student access to cell phones has increased, which in turn, increases cases of cyberbullying and distributing inappropriate pictures through the student body. It is hard to determine who is responsible for educating and monitoring our students, since cyberbullying can occur at any time - both on and off campus. Parents, educators, the community, as well as law makers will need to continue working together to solve this dilemma.
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