CyberBullying

"You might think holding kids accountable for their involvement in CyberBullying would be an appropriate solution and you would be correct. Repercussions might be loss of privileges such as ISP use, IM account privileges, or cell phone use, all good methods of consequences.

However, what do you do once CyberBullying starts? The underlying motives of the CyberBully vary from individual to individual, which also demands different solutions and responses to each type of CyberBullying incident. Many of us, myself included, looked back and compared the traditional playground bully to the CyberBully, thinking it was just another method of bullying. That thinking doesn't fit the traditional playground bully.

After years of research and building, several community information portals with my partner, Bill Wardell, while addressing current topics on how to keep our children and their families safe online and offline, we found the CyberBully profile different from their offline playground counterpart.

The personal confrontation, the physical dominance, or the bad boy reputation isn't a prerequisite of an online bully.

Anonymity on the Internet empowers the CyberBully to be the Wizard of Oz, the all mighty and all-powerful. Armed with a threatening vocabulary and the power of the Internet you can deliver blows no playground bully ever dreamed possible.

Age is not a factor, and the motive, demographics, and profiles of a CyberBully bears this out with incidents such as Lori Drew/Megan Meier tragedy.

The thought of remaining invisible (anonymity), unfortunately has created some monsters and has been the catalyst for kids to act out online what they never would have done offline.

Instilling positive behavior and civility towards one another are the CyberHood Watch's personal choices; however, schools and parents have a vital role in the outcome of CyberBullying.

Schools are concerned about being sued for stepping out and off-campus with their authority and violating the student's free speech rights. What they can do is educate students on cyber-ethics and the law and work with parents to stop and remedy CyberBullying situations. Schools might look to contractual agreements and not to a constitutional issue.

Parents need to be the safe-haven for kids to retreat to, when things go wrong online or offline. Unfortunately, kids avoid this one place when things go wrong. Why? Because kids think this is when the parent will overreact and the child will lose his or her privileges.

Assure your child now, that this is not the case. Open that invaluable needed line of communication. One of the CyberHood Watch guests, Stephen Dean, a Peabody Award-Winning investigative journalist, on CHWradio.com told our listeners, "The moment your child touches the keyboard, that is the time you talk to your child about the dangers of the Internet". It is then when you begin that open communication with them. I hope that when they are approached online they will turn to you and let you know when they are feeling uncomfortable about what was said or done. How important is that moment going to be to you and your child?

CyberBullying is not like the traditional playground bully, so parents do not brush off your child with the get-over-it mentality, it is not the same as the playground anymore..."

CyberHood Watch eZine investigates and researches issues regarding the safety of your children and your family. The topics may be current or unnoticed to the public in general. However, if we feel an issue poses a threat to you or your family, we'll be covering the story and bringing it to light.

Click on the cover below to read the current issue on CyberBullying



Awareness is a powerful ally in the fight for a healthier internet and the nefarious organizations and cybercriminals are banking on the masses complacency... the do-nothings. We are our own worst enemy in that respect

After years of research, the CyberHood Watch partners have built a mountain of information and now we are the messengers at the top trying to be heard.

One of our community web sites Online Security Authority hit #1 in January, 2009, for a tier 1 keyword phrase. Again, that's #1 on Google and Yahoo bounces back and forth page 1 and page 2 out of more than 1.8 Billion searches. More than 97% is free information provided to our Internet community worldwide. And what we allow for purchase is what we have been using for years to keep our families safe. It would be counter-productive and foolish not to share what has been effective for the CyberHood Watch partners, Dave & Bill. After all, the idea is to keep your kids and families out of harms-way and ultimately end up with a healthier Internet environment. CHW partners believe in walking the talk.

Bully-Victims
Bullies who have also been victims will show signs as well.
1. Bullies who have also been victims will show signs as well.
2. Poor control of emotions
3. Induces others to bully or tease them through highly emotional outbreaks
4. Emotional outbreaks of anger and frustration , which solicits retaliatory aggression
5. Disconnect from peers, lack of close friendships, behavioral problems

Warning Signs Your Child's Been Bullied Online

1. Alone at school most of the time
2. Primary interaction is with younger students (indicative of peer problems)
3. Avoids recess
4. Avoidance of discussing what they are doing on the computer
5. Detachment from use of emails, or apprehensive about receiving emails
6. Mood changes after using the computer or electronic devices
7. Frequent injuries or damage to clothing or property
8. Frequently lost or missing belongings
9. Academic issues
10. Sudden discontinuance of computer or electronic devices
11. Low self-esteem
13. Sadness
14. Depression
15. Anxiety
16. Aggression
17. Not feeling well, headaches, upset stomach
18. Not want to be involved in family or school issues
19. Have unusual interest in self-harm or in suicide

Visit www.BeenBulliedOnline.com to help and www.BeenBulliedSupport.com to be helped