|
What is Cyberbullying? (Special thanks to Parry Aftab for her input. )
|
||
| Bullying is nothing new.
Whether it be with fists or words, there have always been people who try
to exert their power or just torment others.
What is new is cyberbullying -- when kids or teens harass, tease or spread harmful or illegal statements or materials about others via the Internet or cell phones. Sometimes, it is a harmless prank that gets out of hand; other times, it is malicious and dangerous.( If an adult is involved as either the bully or the victim it is termed cyber-harassment, not cyberbullying.) Children as young as nine years old are finding themselves harassed via blogs, websites, text-messaging and instant messaging. And, many retaliate by becoming cyberbullies themselves. Cyberbullies are often real life bullying victims who turn to the Internet as a way to get even. This kind of activity often begins on school grounds and continues at home, creating many gray areas of responsibility and liability.
|
||
