Saturday, April 5, 2008

Safety Saturdays (#8) - Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online and Offline



CYBERBULLYING - YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK



Cyberbullying is using technology, such as email, text messaging, blogs, and websites, to spread rumors and gossip; post pictures of someone without their consent; and/or embarrass, threaten, or harass someone. Young people often do not realize their words can be far-reaching through the internet. The video highlights the resulting consequences. Remind your children not to say anything on the internet that they would not say in person. Help them to understand that once words are emailed, sent by text message or posted, they cannot take them back.

Where can you find more information?

  • My post last Saturday on Cyberbullying.
  • Stop Cyberbullying provides information for parents and educators, plus age specific information for kids, ages 7-10, 11-13, 14-17.
  • A project in Canada, which is helping kids who are dealing with the issues of bullying and teasing, provides further information about cyberbullying through one of their websites and an information sheet.
  • NetSmartz Workshop provides on- and offline learning activities for parents to facilitate discussions with their children and teens about Internet safety, including cyberbullying.
  • NetSmartz411 is parents' and guardians' premier, online resource for answering questions about Internet safety, computers, and the Web.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a particular topic that you would like to see covered in a future post. (If you are not familiar with blogging, you can still leave a comment below. Just click the anonymous button and type your comment in the text box provided.) Click on the "Safety Saturdays" label to the left to get more safety tips.

1 comment:

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I think it's awesome that you are addressing this. I'm well aware of the issue because of working with a youth ministry. Thank you.