Since posting my blog I started to think about the laws against cyberbullying. I found some information on several states that have laws against cyberbullying. These states are Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, New Jersey, Oregon, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvanis, South Carolina, Washington, Minnesota, and Vermont. See the links below to read more about the laws in each state. Maryland does not have a law against cyberbullying. Is this because it's not a problem in Maryland? If you are in the state of Maryland or the states listed above, let me know your thoughts on cyberbullying in your state.

http://www.cyberbullyalert.com/blog/2008/10/cyber-bullying-state-laws-and-policies/
http://www.socialsafety.org/law_enforcement_cyberbullying.html

How Do We

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What is bullying? Bullying is an act of repeated aggressive behavior in order to intentionally hurt another person, physically or mentally. Bullying is characterized by an individual or individuals behaving in a certain way to gain power over another person . Bullying has a history that dates back to 1825. School bullying was the most popular form of bullying. Until now...........

There is a new type of bullying that is on the rise in our schools and neighborhoods. This new type of bullying is called CYBERBULLYING. Cyberbullying is bullying only it involves the use of information and communication technologies to support this deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior. Forty-two percent (42%) of students ranging from fourth to eighth grade have been bullied online. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of kids in the same age range admit that they have bullied someone online.

So how do we put a STOP to cyberbullying?

Students
To begin to put an end to cyberbullying we have to empower students to speak up. In order for parents and educators to address cyberbullying we have to know when it exists. Students should also block communication with cyberbullies, refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages, and tell friends to stop cyberbullying.

Parents
Parents should report cyberbullying to their child's school. This will make educators and administrators aware so that they can keep an eye out for in school bullying as well. Parents should be supportive if their child is the victim of cyberbullying and also let them know that engaging in cyberbullying is unacceptable. They should communicate online rules and responsibilities and enforce the rules with tangible consequences. Parents should also learn what their child is doing online and keep track of their online behavior. Last but not least, parents should keep computers in a common area in the household.

Educators
Educators should establish acceptable Internet use and anti-cyberbullying policies in schools. Educators can create an Internet safety pledge for students to sign promising not to cyberbully. They can also include the right to discipline students for any inappropriate use of computers off school property if it affects a student. Working closely with students and parents and making them aware of the causes and preventions can also put a stop to cyberbullying.

My Thoughts
As an educator for the past eight years and a future administrator, I am concerned with the increasing rate of cyberbullying. In addition to the many tasks as an administrator, it is my responsibility to see that the students feel safe. While many cases of cyberbullying occur off of school property, it often begins on school property. I plan to work closely with students, parents, and community members so that cyberbullying does not become a problem in the school and that the focus remains on the education of the students.


Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying
http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/CyberBullying.pdf
http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying

Read other's thoughts on Cyberbullying and CyberSafety:

Luke's Blog

Pam's Blog

Amanda's Blog