I would like to write about a very real problem that is happening with our preteens and teens, it's called Cyber Bullying. For those of you that haven't experienced it yet, it's hurtful, embarassing and harassing on an online public forum, mostly Facebook and MySpace. These kids are posting embarassing pictures, vulgar arguments, broadcasting lies and calling names. It's become so bad that there have been suicides commited over some of these cyber bullying instances.
We as parents have got to be the important catalyst in stopping cyber bullying. We are the ones that buy them their computers and pay the DSL bill for them to use them. It's up to us to monitor what they are doing on Facebook/MySpace. It's okay to look over their shoulder. A good way is to set up a Facebook page yourself, http://www.facebook.com/ then request to be a friend on your teens Facebook, that way whatever they are doing and saying will come across your page on your Facebook page. I did that and I see everything my daughter is up to and everything that people post on her Facebook. We have had several bad cyber bullying instances and yes I've gotten involved to stop them.
My friend Shelley at I'm Still Standing After All This Time has been working hard on awareness and speaking out about this problem. She was invited to speak at Wired Safety Stopcyberbullying Coalition Roundtable at the US Senate. PLEASE take a moment to go to her blog and read her story on Cyber Bullying, Shelley's Blog. It's our responsibility as parents to become involved. :)
5 comments:
I have to say that I totally agree! I canceled all MySpace accounts for my kids because I didn't like the content at all. Now, my daughters have a Facebook account but I have their passwords and I check often. Also, I have a software program that keeps track of everything they do on the computer - every website they visit, every keystroke they enter. It helps a lot!
Thanks for posting about this!
Dana
Such an important issue, as well as bullying in general! It seems many parents don't talk to their children about the affect their words and actions can have on others. A little kindness can go a long way, but bullying can kill a child, body, mind and spirit. From one mom to another, thanks for writing about this!
I'm so glad you blogged about this. It is a problem that parents/caregivewrs need to know about to help protect their children. I have permanent links on my site to wired Sfety and Stop Cyberbullying.
Thanks for the good info on this serious topic. I know cyber bullying is out there, and it scares me.
Thanks for stopping by my blog too! Did you know I live in MN too? I live in Brainerd/Baxter (northern area). Thanks for connecting!
Hi there. Following you from MBC. Have a great weekend!
http://atticgirl.blogspot.com
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