subject: An Important Overview Of Cyberbullying [print this page] The National Cyber Security Alliance has released a report on Internet safety for parents of kids in K 12 schools that includes some disturbing information about cyberbullying. It is not surprising that they found that the kids in America are not being instructed adequately enough to use digital technology safely, securely or responsibly. Their findings also included the fact that more than three quarters of teachers have spent less than six hours on any type of education development related to cybersafety and security in the last 12 months. However, a large majority of teachers do believe that Internet security and Internet safety for parents and their children is a priority. There are many different dangers lurking because of other people, including cyberbullying, making threats over the Internet, or cyberthreats, and there are always sexual predators lurking at all kinds of websites, sadly.
Teachers need development that will provide teachers with comprehensive, research based material to understand all of the different aspects of digital media responsibility and safety. Teachers need to be able to effectively teach these subjects to students using qualified, accurate information and resources. There are classes available for this called Cyber Savvy Teachers. There is also instructional presentations that are offered called Cyberbullying, Cyberthreats & Sexting, which is to address the concerns that are related to students using the Internet in negative ways that will impact schools directly. These presentations, also for Internet safety for parents, offers research findings on the issues, it addresses legal issues, and provides guidance on the intervention and investigation of these dangerous acts of children on the Internet.
It is extremely important that parents as well as teachers, principles, aides, and all school personnel as well as community members learn to recognize the signs not only of cyberbullying and cyber threats but also that they know how to get through to the children how dangerous it can be and how important it is for kids to know how to be safe online. Parents are often the very first line of defense between children and danger on the Internet, and failure of parents and school personnel to effectively warn children and educate them can, and has, have devastating results. Children have been beat up, ridiculed, and have also committed suicide over problems related to their peers and the Internet. Internet safety that includes education about cyberbullying is something that no mother or father can afford to ignore, and it must be something that becomes a priority in the home as well as in our schools.
