cyber-bullying, just last week a report on Internet uses and abuses by
teenagers was released here in Quebec from a survey recently taken here. I
particularly appreciated the way it pointed out that cyberbullying is
USUALLY an extension of what is going on in face-to-face contacts and not
merely limited to electronic interactions.
Also, from the study, the following quote:
Despite the frequency and severity of bullying, many students often reject
assertions that their on-line worlds are dangerous and urge adults to
understand cyber-social networks in light of the positive impact it has on
their lives. Teens report that the networks facilitate and extend their
social interactions. Examples they cite include organizing events,
connecting with likeminded peers, and exposure to others whom they would not
normally meet. Common in these reactions is identifying the capacity of the
Internet to help students transcend the local boundaries of school and
geography which traditionally have restricted their social communities.
I believe it is important to examine this problem as an extension of "real
life" bullying and that we must be careful not to demonize the tools of the
Internet as we cope with this problem.
The complete report to this important study can be found here:
http://www.qesba.qc.ca/en/index.shtml
I have heard through the academic grapevine that the results to the survey
were not what they expected or were looking for - which was a high level of
teens and teachers feeling threatened by interactions that take place on the
Internet. In fact, the majority of respondents reported that the Internet
provided more positive interactions than negative. However, it did point to
a need for more and better opportunities for education for appropriate and
healthy uses of the Internet.
Just my two cents' worth....
Sharon Peters
On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 1:22 PM, David P. Dillard <jwne@temple.edu> wrote:
> CYBERBULLYING:
> A Rallying Cry Against Cyberbullying
>
>
> A Rallying Cry Against Cyberbullying
> June 7, 2008 6:00 AM PDT
> Posted by Stefanie Olsen C-Net News Blog
> <http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9962375-7.html>
>
>
> Lawmakers and Internet executives are perking up to the growing problem of
> kid bully fights on the Web.
>
> Legislators are newly arming themselves with laws that will protect kids
> from being repeatedly harassed via the Internet, text messages, or other
> electronic devices. In recent weeks, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Rep.
> Kenny Hulshof (R-Mo.) proposed a federal law that would criminalize acts of
> so-called cyberbullying (PDF). And Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt was scheduled
> Friday to sign into state law a similar measure, but the event was postponed
> because of inclement weather in St. Louis.
>
> Both state and federal laws were prompted by the suicide of Missouri
> 13-year-old Megan Meier, who was the victim of repeated harassment on
> MySpace.com. An adult neighbor was indicted in the case last month by a
> grand jury in Los Angeles not on charges of cyberbullying, but on charges of
> unauthorized access of a computer system with intent to harm another person.
> (Missouri litigators said they didn't have a law to prosecute the case at
> the time.)
>
> The case has raised national awareness around the issue of cyberbullying.
>
> "When you see adults preying on kids, we're learning how significant the
> risks are," said Parry Aftab, an attorney and founder of the nonprofit
> advocacy group Wired Safety.
>
> Parents, teens, teachers, and Internet executives also came together this
> week to hash out issues of digital fights at Wired Safety's International
> Stop Cyberbullying Conference, a two-day gathering in White Plains, N.Y.,
> and New York City. Executives from Facebook, Verizon, MySpace, Microsoft,
> and many others talked with hundreds of teens and parents about how to
> better protect kids online from harassment.
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------
>
>
>
> The complete article may be read at the URL above.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
> David Dillard
> Temple University
> (215) 204 - 4584
> jwne@temple.edu
> <http://daviddillard.businesscard2.com>
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