Is Your Child Being Cyberbullied?

Kimberly Howard — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:59:00 GMT

While the Internet has allowed us greater delivery of information, improved communication networks between people, and provided faster and smoother access to products and services, it has also created another way in which our personal security can be put in jeopardy. Our personal information is available in electronic form to an unknown range of people and often lack of awareness and poor security management can result in your personal details being accessed by people you don’t know.

A Closer Look at Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can involve malicious personal attacks such as spreading lies and rumors about others, forwarding private text messages or emails, posting pictures of victims without their knowledge or consent, or pretending to be other people in order to gain information.

In October, President Obama launched National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) – a series of events and initiatives that are designed to increase education and awareness of cybersecurity within businesses and the average private home. Americans are encouraged to participate in the fight against cybercrime by following simple steps that will keep their information safe from potential harm. NCSAM suggests Internet users set strong passwords, install updates on all computers, limit the amount of personal information posted online and be cautious about what websites are accessed. Personal information is even more sensitive today. With the dependency on social media, theft protection services, like Lifelock.com, are more imperative than ever before.

Daily Use

Information security is not the only issue that has risen in the past few years with the rise in the use of the Internet – cyberbullying has become a large problem for many young people both within the United States and across the globe. A 2011 Pew Research Center study reported that 93 percent of American teenagers (12-17 years) were using the Internet. At the same time, the increased social networks that have developed through sites such as Facebook and Twitter have meant that young people have more opportunity to be bullied, teased or embarrassed by others. Delaware Online says that more than 140,000 students stay away from school daily due to cyberbullying.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Cyberbullying?

Teenagers can refuse to participate in the bullying of other young people, encourage their friends to stop, or report cyberbullying to a trusted adult. Young people who are being bullied can report the problem to teachers, parents or trusted adults. Schools should discuss the issues associated with cyberbullying, be proactive in explaining the dangers of social media and discourage all students from participating in cyberbullying.

Parents should have open conversations with their teenagers about the responsible use of the Internet and the impact their words can have on others in social media situations. Parents should also be aware of what sites their teenagers are using, and if they notice any emotional changes in their children, speak to them about issues they may be experiencing.

While the size and accessibility of the Internet and social media make it very difficult for parents to control what websites their children are using, it is important for parents and schools to educate young people on the best ways to use the web, when it is safe to provide personal information, and how to protect themselves against cyberbullying.

Cyberbully Hotline Announces Partnership With Web Wise Kids

Judi Westberg-Warren, President — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:49:00 GMT

Leaders In Digital Citizenship Teaching And Anonymous Bullying-Reporting Solution Join Forces To Promote Cyber Safety And Bullying Prevention; Program Satisfies Child Internet Protection Act Certification Requirement For E-Rate Schools

Today, SchoolReach, developers of the CyberBully Hotline, announced that it has entered into a partnership with Web Wise Kids, a leader in providing unique and effective game-based resources to help young people safely use and enjoy the latest mobile and social media technologies. This affiliation provides the most sought after and comprehensive offering of anti-bullying anonymous reporting tools and the latest education materials to help schools reduce and prevent both bullying and cyber bullying episodes.

The collaboration includes the cross promotion of WWK’s successful interactive digital citizenship role-playing games to CyberBully Hotline users and the promotion of the CyberBully Hotline to WWK’s user base. WWK’s most popular games: “It’s Your Call,” and “Be Seen,” teaches students responsible online behavior and how to use social media technology safely. The program gives schools or districts grade-level Internet safety training to meet Child Internet Protection Act certification requirements. In addition, Web Wise Kids founder, Judi Westberg Warren, an internationally-recognized expert in the field of bully and cyber bully prevention and school safety, will be joining the CyberBully Hotline program as a regular contributor to its professional development and education resource center.

“I am thrilled to be part of this outstanding organization and its program,” said Westberg Warren. “I have watched the CyberBully Hotline take shape in the last year and it’s the best answer for schools and districts looking to have all their bases covered when it comes to giving students a way to anonymously report these damaging incidents while arming schools with the tools they need for documenting and reporting the incidents. What we offer is the educational piece with our popular online games so students can confidently and safely manage face-to-face bullying and online cyber bully hazards, too.” The CyberBully Hotline provides a two-way communications tool that allows students to instantly and directly send text messages -- or leave a voicemail -- anonymously with school officials. In response, those officials can immediately reply, also anonymously, and provide students the support they need to effectively address the offensive bullying act, whether they are witnessing it, or are on the receiving end of it. A national nonprofit organization, Web Wise Kids' offers a comprehensive approach to Internet safety through award-winning interactive games which are both “hands-on, mind-on” programs, that offer a positive, preventive, and proactive way to collaboratively engage youth, emotionally and cognitively to the issue of digital citizenship. These games are based on real life situations, are distributed primarily through training sessions for local school personnel facilitated by WWK trainers.

“With the CyberBully Hotline and Web Wise Kids joining forces, schools can know they are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their students,” said Paul Langhorst, chief marketing officer for SchoolReach. “Students will have a way to anonymously report cyber bullying and other forms of bullying and harassment, as well as learn through realistic and challenging simulations the importance and affect of demonstrating good digital citizenship skills.”

About SchoolReach SchoolReach is the K-12 division of St. Louis-based GroupCast, LLC, a broadcast voice, e-mail and SMS notification provider. More information about SchoolReach can be found at www.schoolreach.com and www.cyberbullyhotline.com or by calling 1-800-420-1479.

About Web Wise Kids Web Wise Kids is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Southern California with satellite offices in the Northwest and Washington, D.C. For more information please go to www.webwisekids.org

WebWiseKids Blog : cyberbully hotline

Is Your Child Being Cyberbullied?

A Closer Look at Cyberbullying

Daily Use

What Can Be Done to Prevent Cyberbullying?

Cyberbully Hotline Announces Partnership With Web Wise Kids