Tips for Students on Cyber-bullying – Part I - May 18 2009
From: Dr. John E. Bierwirth, Herricks Public Schools
Date: May 18 2009
Re: Dr. Bierwirth’s Article – Tips for Students on Cyber-bullying – Part I
Over the next two weeks, I would like to share some tips for parents and students on cyber-bullying. These came to us from the Nassau County Police Department via a Herricks PTA officer. They are good, common sense suggestions.
Tips for Students on Cyber-bullying
In the old days, bullies tended to be large, mean looking males, who know how to use their fists. These days a cyber-bully can be male or female, of any size and shape, and they only need enough strength to use a keyboard. To keep cyber-bullies from ruining your child’s day, you and your child just need to exercise a little common sense.
- Don’t encourage anyone to use the internet to bully someone.
- If you can’t say something nice about someone in an email, IM, chat room or anywhere else on the internet, then don’t say it at all.
- Don’t email or publish online any embarrassing photographs, videos, or audio recordings.
- If you know that someone is being bullied online, tell someone.
- Don’t send emails or other online messages that threaten a person.
- Don’t send emails or other online messages that use foul or abusive language.
- Don’t send or post angry messages online.
- Follow family rules about online behavior.
- Follow school rules about online behavior
- If you receive a threatening or harassing message, tell someone, especially a teacher or parent.
Just remember, cyber-bullying is an online risk that can’t be stopped by software or hardware. It can only be prevented by you.
(Source: Parenting and the InternetSpeedbrake Publishing, 2007)
