Cyber Bullying

The majority of teens today have access to internet whether it be through home, school, peers, or local internet cafe. The internet is both so helpfull, but at the same time it is dangrous, sometimes to the point of being deadly. One very tradgic case was Megan Meier, a thirteen year old, very beautiful young girl who was bullied so badly by a boy online that one afternoon her mother found her hangingin her closet, she died the next day. Further investigation on the boy who bullied her lead to the confesion of a mother of her old friend who lived three houses down that she infact was the boy who was bullying Megan online. Her and her daughter were seeing if Megan was saying anything bad about her daugther. It soon got out of control ending in Megans death. The women responsable has surved no time in jail, she is also free of any charges. Megan had battled low self esteem, ADD, being 20 pounds over weight, and had been seeing a therapist.
Now reading this you may be in disbelif in what you are reading, the fact that bullying has gone as far as this, and that a growin women was behind it when we normally only here about the teen bullies. And since now bullying is not just a school thing but is now cyber life as a teen and even some adults is gettting a lot tougher. I remember home from when i was a lot youngermaybe before internet i was bullied so badly at school but once the bell rang and i went home, i was safe and comfertable and didnt have to worry about getting beat up, made fun off, and put down. But now it home is no longer safe from the school yard bullies. They come home with you and are every where you go with technology, there they are. So here are some tips i use, used, would use, and wish i had used.

For Parents
+ keep computer in the kitchen, lving room, or anywhere else not hiddin by closed doors
+ keep tabs on who your child is talking too
+ have a full access to veiw what your child is posting online for there own saftey (remember though dont get to carried away they have rights)
+ dont allow your child to talk to online strangers
+ eaither get your teens password or get them to give you a regular tour of their page
+ use your resources (teachers, utube, websites, school guidance counciler)

For Teens
+ you have the abillity to turn off your computer at anytime
+ do not bully (name call, threaten, or harrase) anyone else
+ let your parents know when you are being bullied they can and will (well should) take care of it
+ let your parents keep tabs on who you are talking too
+ eaither give your parents your password or give them a regular tour of your page
+ the best way not to start anything is to not talk about people negativelyit always gets back to them, even if you only told one person
+ as for cell phones go you have the right to turn it off when being bullied
+ teachers, parents, pastors, & councilers at school will help you as much as you can if you are being bullied
+ use your recsources and find out more, utube has many great videos, or even http://www.DrPhil.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MxxqcH_Mkc