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Internet Parenting
Another major issue we are beginning to see a lot of is Cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images about another person, usually on a site like Myspace. However, emailing is another means of cyberbullying.
Some specific forms of Cyberbullying are:
- Sending threatening, mean or vicious messages via email or instant messenger.
- Posting stories, comments or jokes about someone on Myspace or other social networking site.
- Pretending to be someone (breaking into an email account) and sending cruel or embarrassing emails as that person.
- Getting personal information about someone (pretending to be a friend, or perhaps x-friends) then forwarding that information to others, or worse, posting for everyone to see online.
- Taking a picture of someone, perhaps getting out of a shower, or in a locker room and sending that picture to others.
Cyberbullying is fast becoming a very challenging issue for parents, teachers and law enforcement.
Do you suspect that your child is being bullied online? You are going to need access to their account, Hopefully all you have to do is ask, however, if that doesn't work then install a key logger and get it.
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CYBERBULLIES!
The anonymity that the Internet seems to give kids means kids feel freer to do things online they would never do in the real world.
Here is a link to a cyberbullying prevention fact sheet by the U.S. Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
In a recent HRSA study:
* 18 percent of sixth- through eighth-graders said they had been “cyberbullied” at least once in the last couple months.
* 11 percent of sixth- through eighth-graders said they had “cyberbullied” someone in the last couple of months.
* 19 percent of regular Internet users between the ages of 10 and 17, reported being involved in online aggression; 15 percent said they were the aggressor, 7 percent said they were the targets of aggression and 3 percent said they had been both an aggressor and a target.
Thirty-four per cent of students in Grades 7 to 11 report that they had been bullied within the current school year. Among those, 27 per cent say they had been bullied over the Internet. (Source: Young Canadians in a Wired World, Media Awareness Network, 2005)
Peligros en línea
Cyberbullying
Been bullied online? take this quiz from WiredKids and see, you my be surprised.
Before you go to bed at night you lock your doors, perhaps check a few windows, and if you have an alarm system you turn it on to protect your family from potential intruders. There is one more doorway, into the home, that is generally left wide open and unchecked, the Internet, that needs to be secured as well. While you sleep the potential for predators coming into your home is at it's peak. They could be contacting your children via email, chat rooms, or message boards. Also, your kids could be visiting places you would never allow them to visit or perhaps they are talking to adults about sexual topics thinking it's just another kid. If they have a web cam or digital camera they may be posting pictures of themselves online. This could be done in the middle of the day, too, if they have a computer in their bedroom or if you allow free unrestricted access to the Internet. continue..
The Internet safety guide for parents