Cyberbullying+101

=__**Cyber-bullying 101**__=

**Definition** **:** “Cyber-bullying is the use of modern communication technologies to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, or intimidate an individual in the attempt to gain power and control over them.” - Glenn R. Stutzky Cyber-bullying refers to any harassment that occurs via the internet, cell phones or other technology-based devices.

**Overview** **:** Cyberbullying has rapidly become a large problem for youth and educators alike in schools. Bullying has been an issue in schools well before the internet and other forms of social media. However, this new form of bullying follows students home from the hallways and makes it almost impossible for them to escape it. As more high profile cases emerge, the issue of cyberbullying has been brought to the attention of schools, parents, and students in the hopes of stopping students from becoming victims. The issue of cyberbullying has also reached law makers in the United States. Most states are working on legislation that will help to protect students who are victims of cyberbullying, as well as prosecute individuals who have been found guilty of cyberbullying.

**Resources** **:**

**Books** :

Cyber-Bullying: Issues and Solutions for the School, the Classroom and the Home: ** By Shaheen Shariff. ** This book looks in depth at the emerging issue of cyber-bullying. In this increasingly digital world cyber-bullying has emerged as an electronic form of bullying that is difficult to monitor or supervise because it often occurs outside the physical school setting and outside school hours on home computers and personal phones. These web-based and mobile technologies are providing young people with what has been described as: 'an arsenal of weapons for social cruelty’. These emerging issues have created an urgent need for a practical book grounded in comprehensive scholarship that addresses the policy-vacuum and provides practical educational responses

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated: Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin?: **By Thomas A. Jacobs.** In this book, Judge Tom Jacobs presents a powerful collection of landmark court cases involving teens and charges of cyberbullying, which includes: sending insulting or threatening emails, text, or instant messages directly to someone. - Description from goodreads.com

Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age : **By Robin M. Kowalski and Patricia W. Agatston PhD.** This book provides the most current and essential information on the nature and prevalence of the epidemic known as Cyber Bullying. Examining the latest research and methods for studying this issue, the authors have utilized vital studies involving over 3500 middle-school students, online research projects on cyber bullying on blogs, and data from focus groups of victims and perpetrators and their parents. - Description from cyberbullyhelp.com

[|Confronting Cyber-Bullying: What Schools Needs to Know to Control Misconduct and Avoid Legal Consquences] : **By Shaheen Shariff.** This book is directed to academics, educators, and government policy-makers who are concerned about addressing emerging cyber-bullying and anti-authority student expressions through the use of cell phone and Internet technologies. There is a current policy vacuum relating to the extent of educators' legal responsibilities to intervene when such expression takes place outside of school hours and school grounds on home computers and personal cell phones. Students, teachers, and school officials are often targets of such expression. The author analyzes government and school responses by reviewing positivist paradigms. Her review of a range of legal frameworks and judicial decisions from constitutional, human rights, child protection, and tort law perspectives redirects attention to legally substantive and pluralistic approaches that can help schools balance student free expression, supervision, safety, and learning. - Description from Amazon.com

[|Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying] : **By Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin.** This book focuses on how technology can facilitate or magnify bullying behavior, this resource provides proactive strategies, current research, and legal rulings to protect students from cyberbullying. -Description from Amazon.com

Cyber-bullying is Never Alright: Dealing with the Pain of Cyber-abuse: ** By Debbie Roome. ** Cyber-bullying takes schoolyard bullying to a new level with the use of information technology. Computers, tablets, cellphones and other devices are used to harass, embarrass and torment people of all ages. 'Cyber Bullying is Never Alright' looks at the ways the abuse is perpetrated, its effects and the best way to stop it. Jam packed with useful advice, it is written from personal experience as well as careful research. Anyone who has a problem with an internet troll or bully who makes nasty comments on Facebook, in chat rooms or on blogs will benefit from reading this. It is never alright to be bullied and the first step to freedom is educating yourself about your choices. - Description from books.google.com

**Blogs** :

[|Safety Clicks: Cyberbullying]: This blog explores how cyberbullying has evolved and become a part of youth culture. It also has helpful tips and ideas for parents who are dealing with children that are being bullied. This blog also highlights some of the top news stories containing cyberbullying and the ramifications it can have in both physical harm and legal harm.

[|Cyberbulling Research Center:]: This blog is a part of a larger website about cyberbullying that is hoping to keep the discussion and dialogue about cyberbullying out in the open and also help kids and parents that are victims. The blog also has testimonials from different students about their experiences with cyberbullying and the response or lack of response from the schools they attend.

What Our Kids Need to Know About Cyber-Bullying: This blog explained how cyber-bullying has real victims and can do real damage **. **It is crucial that parents take cyber bullying seriously, because educating our children about cyber bullying is a serious task.

What is Cyber Bullying?: : This blog states that cyber bullying a form of online intimidation. While this is done online there are common characteristics very similar to that of a “real world” bully.



** Websites :**

**[|Stop Cyberbullying]** : This website details what cyberbullying is and how parents and educators can stand together and fight against it. This site explores schools and students helping to put a stop to the cyberbullying they see, by having students become part of the solution, instead of the problem.


 * [|Kids Health-Cyberbullying] ** : This website lists a definition of cyberbullying and also tries to help parents be aware of what the signs and effects of cyberbullying might be for their child. Since kids have access to the phones, computers and internet 24/7 then that can also mean they are be reached by bullies during those times. It also gives parents some tools to help if their child is being bullied or the one that is bullying others.

Cyberbullying Research Center : The Cyberbullying Research Center is dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents. Cyberbullying can be defined as "willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices."

Cyber Bully Help: How can we prevent Cyber Bullying? This website lists ways to warn children about cyber bullying.

Cyber Bullying: An Information Sheet for Teachers and Other Professionals Who Work With Young People : This website inform teachers and other professionals on ways to educate children about cyber bullying.


 * Videos : **

This video talks about Cyber Bullying being a major problem in our society today. Special thanks to Dr. Phil and CTV for the footage.

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Ensuring Student Cyber Safety: Dr. Phil

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Cyberbullying: CBS News Notebook: This video is a brief clip about the serious and sometimes dangerous impact cyberbullying can have on teenagers. It also mentions how parents should always keep an open and honest dialogue with their kids about what's happening to them online.

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Cyberbullying Tips for Parents: This clip highlights tips and ways for parents to help and prevent cyberbullying. It also showcases a student that was bullied and how it affected her life in middle school and high school.

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Think Time: How Does Cyberbullying Affect You?

Teens are among the leaders of Internet trends. The world is advancing so quickly that many of today's teens will find future careers in technologies that haven't been invented yet. Through the Think Time videos, you'll see why it's time for them to become more cyber savvy.

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**State Laws : **

[] : State action on cyber-bullying

[] : NY cyber bullying proposed law

[|A list of cyberbullying laws by state:]: This website details each states' bullying and cyberbullying laws. It also chronicles each states' progress and legislation in the area of bullying and cyberbulling.