It is just because they are miserable...

It seems like no one could ever escape the well known bully of school. It has been that way for years that there is always someone that has to pick on others. Will we ever get passed that in our lives? Will the bullying still continue for generations to come? It seems as if the bullying in our generation has just increased and found a new way to be considered harmful and harassment.
Who would have thought a social network and advances in technology has been a gateway for other to hurt people? Making up hurtful stories, posting inappropriate pictures and lies have become the new way to bully not only classmates but teachers and principals as well. It is appalling that a first grader committed suicide after being cyberbullied in Florida. This is just uncalled for. What can people do to stop this?
Of Course it is easier to send a text message to someone than to confront them face to face. Also bullying over email or even a text can be taken in many ways since everyone can interpret the tones and meanings behind words differently. People become more inclined to let out more hurtful words through this cyberbullying because they won’t see the hurt or care of the hurt that they are putting upon others. Bullying isn’t acceptable in any situation but I am sure teens feel as if it isn’t as hurtful or they possibly don’t even know or care that they are hurting someone else’s feelings.
I think sometimes there isn’t a way around hate group websites. With the internet being a source of freedom of speech, it is hard to put a cap on it. I know schools of course are making laws that can have students expelled, but the general public can make all kinds of websites. Schools can definitely block certain cites like Facebook and MySpace from being used on campus computers and I think the school absolutely should block them. I think there should also be a no tolerance act for these types of pages while on school grounds.
The website, cyberbullying.org explained the need for bullying very well, “Cyberbullying, like other forms of bullying, is about human relationships, power and control.” It is that need to feel empowered and to have others scared of you. It also called this type of bullying more of a cowardly way to bully a someone and I believe that is 100% true. They are behind the scenes not seeing the actual consequences of their actions. I think in general parents need to be more involved with their child’s life. Facebook and MySpace and other sites should be monitored for their safety. Any person can claim they are a 15 year old Male/Female that wants to be your friend. I think websites like these should have some type of setting that proof of parent permission is there. Anyone can check a box saying you are 18, or parents approve. There has to be a different way.
After reading about this topic, I am in shock. I would have never thought about bullying being over the internet. It is crazy how times have changed today from when I was a kid and from even when my parents were kids. Bullying is the most frequent threat young people face and that is scary that there is so much hatred at that level of childhood. I learned that bullying is never going away and there isn’t a real way to monitor it all. We as teachers need to stand guard for ourselves as well as other students to keep everyone safe from the harassment that can ensue.


Here is a list of websites with more information on Cyberbullying:
http://www.cyberbullying.org/
I liked this link because it gives signs of a child being bullied, things to look out for and resources to use. The information on this cite is very helpful can be used in a lesson plan with students.
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
This website is awesome because it gives tips for different age groups as well as professionals! It directs you into the right path on the next steps to follow when being cyberbullied and gives evaluations to see if you are a cyberbully.
http://www.online-bully.com/index.html
This website is useful because it gives videos and introduces a computer program that monitors internet use in the home. This site is very resourceful!

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-03-06-cover-cyberbullies_x.htm

This article gave quick facts on what to do if you are being bullied and also told real accounts of those that have been bullied. Nice article to read.

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=How+Serious+Is+Cyberbullying&page=1&qsrc=6&dm=all&ab=3&title=Cyberbullying+Basics&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aftab.com%2Fcyberbullyingpage.htm&sg=GXC6%2BjNvkWZ3b%2FH%2FIqTPQ48kIcRmrg9IpQSqz%2FRKkFg%3D&tsp=1257456419361

This legal site has a powerpoint on how to address the problem as well as FAQ’s on the idea of cyberbullying. This site gives great examples that opened my eyes to cyberbullying with the use of picture texts and picture mail.

http://www.ctia.org/blog/index.cfm/2008/6/4/Cyberbullying-A-Serious-Problem-Facing-Kids-Today

This is a great site to look at because it is CTIA is the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry. This site also gives helpful tips on cell phone usage.


http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/07/drew_court/

This is an unbelievable story about a 50 year old woman partaking in cyberbulling activities that lead a 13 year old girl to suicide. This is a terrible story but worth reading.


http://www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/bully/bullyBooklet.pdf
This booklet is helpful and shows way of changing the negative behavior around to positive behavior. I like how it also gives tips for bystanders to stick up and stop the bullying.
http://www.ask.com/bar?q=%22+Bullying+in+the+classroom%22&page=1&qsrc=0&dm=all&ab=1&title=Bullying+Behavior+in+the+Classroom%3A+Tips+and+Techniques+On+How+To&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnewteachersupport.suite101.com%2Farticle.cfm%2Fbullying_behavior&sg=TO959l9NAomji3LLuhdEQ9h8QWb%2B7tdMUDeVfC9P090%3D&tsp=1257457556980
This site gives a lesson plan so that students can be aware of what bullying is and how it affects others. It is also nice because it is a teacher support site where you can find other helpful tips.
http://www.parentsconnect.com/articles/help_child_with_bully.jhtml?xid=paid-google-bullying
This is a nice page that gives parents tips on how to deal with and prevent their child from being bullied. I like that this article is directed towards the parent and the parent involvement and how they can stop their child from being harassed or to even prevent the harassment.