Comments on: Cyberbullying: Who is Responsible? http://intra.rfistudios.com/blogs/right-brain/2010/03/cyberbullying-who-is-responsible.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:05:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Marian Casey http://intra.rfistudios.com/blogs/right-brain/2010/03/cyberbullying-who-is-responsible.html/comment-page-1#comment-212 Marian Casey Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:30:07 +0000 http://www.rfistudios.com/blogs/right-brain/?p=225#comment-212 Ruth, Thank you for writing this important article. Although, there have been some articles on the dark side of social networking, the consequences of cyberbullying has not been given enough attention. My daughter was a victim of cyberbullying in 7th grade and as a result was affected both emotionally and physically (daily stomach aches,anxiety). When I brought this to the attention of the school (private elementary school), they told me it was not their responsibility since the cyberbullying took place off of school grounds. Of course, this was not accurate since the students doing the cyberbullying told each other to not speak to my daughter at school; thereby moving the cyberbullying to school grounds. I encouraged the administration to take responsibility for these incidents and encouraged them to host an informational night on Cyberbullying for parents and middle school students (although it's also occurring in earlier grades now). I found a great speaker who happened to be a therapist for students addicted to the internet as well as predators that stalked these children.. She laid it all out for parents including other stories about children who had committed suicide as a result of cyberbullying. The parents were shocked to learn that their children were so active on the internet (most of the girls were 12 but had myspace pages) and the possible issues that could occur including cyberbullying. Many parents said they trusted their children and did not feel it necessary to monitor their children's internet use. This is naive and irresponsible behavior on the part of the parents. I installed monitoring software on our home computer and frequently checked on my teens texting and facebook posts. Although they balked at this infringement on their privacy, I informed them they must learn to use the internet in a responsible way that would not harm others. Isn't this what we do for other social situations they are involved in? I feel this is the responsibility of all parents and that the parents of these teens who participated in the cyberbullying should also be held criminally responsible (those under 18) for the tragic death of Phoebe. Parents are now held liable in many areas for serving liquor to minors - why not here. My heart aches for the mother and family of Phoebe. I encourage educators, communities and parents to teach their children about these dangers and prevent future deaths of our children. Ruth,
Thank you for writing this important article. Although, there have been some articles on the dark side of social networking, the consequences of cyberbullying has not been given enough attention.

My daughter was a victim of cyberbullying in 7th grade and as a result was affected both emotionally and physically (daily stomach aches,anxiety). When I brought this to the attention of the school (private elementary school), they told me it was not their responsibility since the cyberbullying took place off of school grounds. Of course, this was not accurate since the students doing the cyberbullying told each other to not speak to my daughter at school; thereby moving the cyberbullying to school grounds.

I encouraged the administration to take responsibility for these incidents and encouraged them to host an informational night on Cyberbullying for parents and middle school students (although it’s also occurring in earlier grades now). I found a great speaker who happened to be a therapist for students addicted to the internet as well as predators that stalked these children.. She laid it all out for parents including other stories about children who had committed suicide as a result of cyberbullying.

The parents were shocked to learn that their children were so active on the internet (most of the girls were 12 but had myspace pages) and the possible issues that could occur including cyberbullying. Many parents said they trusted their children and did not feel it necessary to monitor their children’s internet use.

This is naive and irresponsible behavior on the part of the parents. I installed monitoring software on our home computer and frequently checked on my teens texting and facebook posts. Although they balked at this infringement on their privacy, I informed them they must learn to use the internet in a responsible way that would not harm others. Isn’t this what we do for other social situations they are involved in?

I feel this is the responsibility of all parents and that the parents of these teens who participated in the cyberbullying should also be held criminally responsible (those under 18) for the tragic death of Phoebe. Parents are now held liable in many areas for serving liquor to minors – why not here.

My heart aches for the mother and family of Phoebe. I encourage educators, communities and parents to teach their children about these dangers and prevent future deaths of our children.

]]> By: KenS http://intra.rfistudios.com/blogs/right-brain/2010/03/cyberbullying-who-is-responsible.html/comment-page-1#comment-204 KenS Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:14:23 +0000 http://www.rfistudios.com/blogs/right-brain/?p=225#comment-204 When it comes to public insults and harassment there is supposed to be no freedom of speech. Unfortunately, right now, Cyberbullying is a big loophole; it needs to be classified as slander and libel. The problem is that the Internet is a safe haven for bullies because of the anonymity. There is not a more cowardly way to bully someone then from behind a curtain. But parents are the key. Parents need to get involved in helping solve the cyberbullying problem. If parents cared enough about their child being the bully or passing along the material as much as they care when their child is a victim, it would be a huge step forward. But then, of course, how do you know if your child is involved in cyberbullying? You need to monitor their Internet activity. Monitoring software like our PC Pandora records everything that happens on the PC. If your child is a victim, you will know; if they are a bully, you will know. Whatever the case may be with your child (victim or bully), you need to intervene and teach them how to be a Responsible CyberCitizen. Check us out at http://www.pcpandora.com to see how you can be a part of the solution instead of a passive part of the problem. When it comes to public insults and harassment there is supposed to be no freedom of speech. Unfortunately, right now, Cyberbullying is a big loophole; it needs to be classified as slander and libel. The problem is that the Internet is a safe haven for bullies because of the anonymity. There is not a more cowardly way to bully someone then from behind a curtain. But parents are the key. Parents need to get involved in helping solve the cyberbullying problem. If parents cared enough about their child being the bully or passing along the material as much as they care when their child is a victim, it would be a huge step forward. But then, of course, how do you know if your child is involved in cyberbullying? You need to monitor their Internet activity. Monitoring software like our PC Pandora records everything that happens on the PC. If your child is a victim, you will know; if they are a bully, you will know. Whatever the case may be with your child (victim or bully), you need to intervene and teach them how to be a Responsible CyberCitizen. Check us out at http://www.pcpandora.com to see how you can be a part of the solution instead of a passive part of the problem.

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