Title: Cyberbullying
Course: Tech Literacy for Teachers/Staff

Cyberbullying is a trend in interpersonal behavior where people attack others online through texting, social sites and e-mail. It happens through any type of electronic communication. The worst part of these attacks are that they do not stop when the victim is away from their attacker. Internet and communication technologies that are used make the victim feel like they can never escape their tormentor. Attacks happen in many ways. It might be text messages sent to the victims cell phone, or comments left on a social network site. The effect of the attacks go far beyond the principle players. Many cyberbully attacks build coalitions of people that increase the attacks. They also prompt ridicule from others who aren't involved in the electronic communication. Some build fake sites pretending to be the victim and posting material that is intended to affect the reputation of the victim. Others build rating sites and solicit participation from many others who ridicule and belittle the victims. The lack of refuge and increasing intensity of these attacks, as well as the increase in numbers of people, participating in them drives many children each year to commit suicide. Stopcyberbullying.org offers five things for students to do when thy are the victims of cyberbullying attacks.

Keep personal information private

Keep all of your personal information private. You should never give your username and password to anyone else. Parents often need to share your account information, but never tell your friends, your brother or sister, not even a boyfriend or girlfriend. Don't tell anyone but your parents. Don't give your parents that information by text or e-mail. Tell them your account information face to face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw9T26GPqpc

Stop, Block, and Tell

If you are targeted by a bully, follow these steps.

1. Stop, Don't do anything. Take a few minutes to calm down.

2. Block them or limit all correspondence to your friends.

3. Then tell an adult. You don't have to face that alone

http://www.familycenterweb.org/images/downloads/FamilyCentralWIN09.pdf

Google Yourself

Conduct Internet searches for your own name periodically. Make sure that the information out there about you is accurate. If someone has set up an account on a site using your name contact the system administrators to say that your identity is being used inappropriately.

Take 5

When you are confronted by anyone who is rude or seems to be harassing you, take 5 minutes to calm down before you do anything. Think about it and then tell a parent.

Practice the Internet Golden Rule.

If you wouldn't say it in person, don't say it online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmD8OKl8vVM

Take a stand against cyberbullies.

Cyber bullies, like real bullies, hurt people, but the attacks from cyberbullies continue when the victim is at home. Help protect others by taking a stand against those you see attacking people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJut7KQhI4

The information above is focused on victims of cyberbullying. Teachers, school officials, and cummunities need to teach children how to treat others. Read one of the articles below to learn more about cyberbullying and how we as educators can help. Leave one original post about a way a school can approach the issue of cyberbullying. Then reply to at least one other post to discuss what they say about cyberbullying.

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/what_is_cyberbullying_exactly.html

http://www.beinggirl.com/en_US/articledetail.jsp?ContentId=ART13789