Cyberbullying
There are 8 tasks for you to complete:
1. Read this passage to learn about Cyberbullying.
Young people are using the Internet more than ever and most have Internet access from home. For many, the Internet isn't simply a convenient way to research or a fun afterschool activity - it's a big part of their social life. Posting and chatting with friends are common online activities for students, after studying and playing games. But like many other social situations, some kids bully other kids online.
Cyberbullying is similar to other types of bullying, except it takes place online and through text messages sent to cell phones. Cyberbullies can be classmates, online acquaintances, and even anonymous users, but most often they do know their victims.
Some examples of ways kids bully online are:
Sending someone mean or threatening emails, instant messages, or text messages.
Excluding someone from an instant messenger buddy list or blocking their e-mail for no reason.
Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others.
Breaking into someone's e-mail or instant message account to send cruel or untrue messages while posing as that person.
Creating websites to make fun of another person such as a classmate or teacher.
Using websites to rate peers as prettiest, ugliest, etc.
Both boys and girls sometimes bully online and just as in face-to-face bullying, tend to do so in different ways. Boys more commonly bully by sending messages of a sexual nature or by threatening to fight or hurt someone. Girls more often bully by spreading rumors, sending messages that make fun of someone or exclude others. They also tell secrets.
2. Click here and describe how you or any of your friends have been cyberbullied.
3. Click on the image below to watch a BrainPOP video about Cyberbullying.
4. Read this passage to learn about the effects of cyberbullying.
Victims of cyberbullying may experience many of the same effects as children who are bullied in person, such as a drop in grades, low self-esteem, a change in interests, or depression. However cyberbullying can seem more extreme to its victims because of several factors:
Occurs in children's home. Being bullied at home can take away the place children feel most safe.
Can be harsher. Often kids say things online that they wouldn't say in person, mainly because they can't see the other person's reaction.
Far-reaching. Kids can send e-mails making fun of someone to their entire class or school with a few clicks, or post them on a web site for the whole world to see.
Anonymity. Cyberbullies often hide behind screen names and e-mail addresses that don't identify who they are. Not knowing who is responsible for bullying messages can add to a victim's insecurity.
May seem inescapable. It may seem easy to get away from a cyberbully — just get offline — but for some kids not going online takes away one of the major places they socialize.
Cyberbullying can be a complicated issue. But like more typical forms of bullying, it can be prevented when kids know how to protect themselves and parents are available to help. from City of Winston Salem website
5. Look at the statistics below. Which ones really stand out to you?
Think about these numbers and click here to post your reflection.
6. Take the Cyberbullying Quiz! Choose the Graded Quiz option. Do your best!
7. Report your grade here. This step is important!
8. Play The Cyberbullying Game. Have fun!
Cyberbullying: Not a Pretty Picture
Students explore a scenario in which a friendly relationship turns to a bullying one involving cell phones and computers. Then they create a glossary of abbreviations that will give contextual clues to text messages. Lesson plan from CyberSmart! Curriculum.
Cyberbullying: Who, Me? Why Should I Care?
Students explore the roles and responsibilities of bystanders to cyberbullying. Then they develop a plan for peer mentoring to prevent cyberbullying situations. Lesson plan from CyberSmart! Curriculum.
If you wouldn't say it in person, why say it online? Effective Talent Show video by the Ad Council.