I remember those days when I couldn’t even reach the kitchen counter but still felt invisible. This feeling gradually fades away especially when you encounter the biggest and most intimidating children at school, you just know to avoid. It is tough growing up but I can’t imagine how it must be for children these days. Now, a quick easy destructive sms could lead to an extremely distressed child. Not only are children faced with bullying in the form of physical abuse or verbal abuse but they are subjected to cyberbullying.
When I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago, regarding mobile phones in an educational setting, I came across the shocking reality of cyberbullying. Technology allows for children to connect, socialise and communicate with one another. But some children are abusing technologies such as mobile phones, which has become the new high-tech version of the school bully. Bullies are now turning to social networks, sms, mms and e-mails to bully children. An online safety survey carried out by NetAlert and nineMSN in February 2007 found that 14% were bullied through their mobile phone.
Cyberbullying is so easy to do with the accessibility of the internet and mobile phones. It can literally happen overnight. Mobile phones have become the new weapon for bullies. A mobile phone gives bullies the perfect ammunition as most children have their own phones.
Bullying can be psychologically damaging to children. Many people who have experienced bullying in the past would agree. Cyberbullying is just adding fuel to fire and can be even more severe than face-to-face abuse.
One of the reasons why it is so popular is that bullies can disguise their identity and remain anonymous so there is little fear of being caught. Children are faced with cyberbullying everyday but are there efforts being made to prevent cyberbullying from taking place?
Firstly, schools need to educate children with regards to cyberbullying. Schools should not only inform them of cyberbullying. Schools need to develop a clear comprehensive policy on what is unacceptable use of the internet on computers and mobile phones.
At Oak view Elementary School in Virginia a student created a survey on the top five hated kids in the his grade. This is an example of how a cyberbully can ruin an educational environment. This is not the only example. It is common in many schools all over the world. Cyberbullying is not only happening at school but also outside school hours.
This is where parents need to step in. Parents also need to inform their children of the nature of cyberbullying. Parents can have control over what their children are surfing on the internet. Internet service providers, for example, do offer some parental control. AOL for example has developed ‘Aol Guardian’ which reports who their children exchange messages with and what website and chat rooms they are visiting.
But what about your mobile phone? Mxit is the perfect mobile application used to bully. Fortunately, anyone who places offensive material on Mxit will be banned from its system. However, it can still be difficult for parents to monitor what their children do on their mobile phones.
As for those who are subjected to cyberbullying via their mobile phone there are ways to prevent it. Firstly, it is important to refuse to respond. Rather not engage them as this is what they want. However, never ignore the threats being made. Rather identify who it might be and what the bully is saying. It is important then to notify your parents. Understand what cyberbullying is so that you are aware of what is happening to you and do not underestimate the destructive nature of cyberbullying (tips extracted from http://www.safeteens.com/tips-to-stop-cyberbullying/).
There is also a large amount of websites that you can be access. These websites provide advice and information on cyberbullying. antibully.org.uk and Stop Bullying Now! are just two websites that can be accessed.
This is not only happening to children but adults too. Adults also need to be aware of the nature of cyberbullying. Most importantly, learn how to protect yourself online and learn how to respond if you or a friend is being cyberbullied. So, start researching now. Finally, don’t be afraid to let someone know that you are being bullied.
Thanks to Ange Embuleniya for the picture. Follow Ange's photostream to view more images.
No comments:
Post a Comment