Preventing Cyberbullying
As a parent, it is important to determine whether the use of social media is appropriate for your minor children. Although cyberbullying is an issue, there are also many positive aspects of using social media. These benefits include extending friendships; experiencing connectedness and learning from other students; finding what may be missing in traditional relationships; accessing information and advice; gaining independence and freedom while maintaining contact with their parents (Carroll, 2011). As the world becomes more global through online connections, parent and teachers can help students to use on line tools safely by provide information and support.
Online Guidelines
1. Monitor young children when they are online.
2. Warn your child not to give out identifying information.
3. Get to know the services your child uses.
4. Never allow your child to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
5. Remind your child not to respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or that make them uncomfortable.
6. Have your child check with you before sending or posting a picture of themselves.
7. Warn your child to never share their password, even with a good friend or an adult. As a parent, ask your child for their password with the understanding that you will only use it in case of an emergency.
8. If your child uses social tools such as Facebook, ask to "friend" or "follow" your child's page. Ask a trusted friend to follow your child's page.
9. Encourage your children to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, are being cyber bullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.
For more safety information and safety contracts, please go to Safe Kids. The safety contracts outline guidelines for safe internet use. The safety contracts were developed to reflect age appropriate rules for youth, teenagers, and adults.
2. Warn your child not to give out identifying information.
3. Get to know the services your child uses.
4. Never allow your child to arrange a face-to-face meeting.
5. Remind your child not to respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or that make them uncomfortable.
6. Have your child check with you before sending or posting a picture of themselves.
7. Warn your child to never share their password, even with a good friend or an adult. As a parent, ask your child for their password with the understanding that you will only use it in case of an emergency.
8. If your child uses social tools such as Facebook, ask to "friend" or "follow" your child's page. Ask a trusted friend to follow your child's page.
9. Encourage your children to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, are being cyber bullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.
For more safety information and safety contracts, please go to Safe Kids. The safety contracts outline guidelines for safe internet use. The safety contracts were developed to reflect age appropriate rules for youth, teenagers, and adults.
What teachers, parents and kids need to know about cyberbullying.
The Jersey Association of School Administrators created this video as a tool for both parents and teachers. "Social media and technology have created thousands of new ways to be a bully. Cyberbullying can happen anywhere, leaving victims with no 'safe zone.' A community-wide approach that includes the school, parents and children is necessary to prevent cyber bullying. This video provides strategies to confront this problem." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhn5ZEHFKWA&feature=youtu.be)