Journal #5

How To Fight the New Bullies
By Rosalind Wiseman

This article discussed the issue of cyberbullying. Basically, cyberbullying is the new form of what used to be bigger kids beating up and threatening smaller kids at school. The dangerous part of this issue, is that not only are kids’ names and reputations being slandered, but sometimes there are threats of violence. Because of this, it is difficult for the targeted child to feel safe in a place where safety should be guaranteed – school. The author, Rosalind Wiseman, goes on to say that safety precautions should be taken in the home first. Parents should monitor what kind of activity is going on on their childrens’ computers. The problem with this, is that kids are very apt to lie and not show their parents what they’re looking for. This matter is very important to discuss. Not only are young one’s prone to sexual predators, but now they are subject to danger from their own peers. The problem with internet-bullying, is that much of it can remain anonymous. Therefore, the target might not know who is making frightening accusations to them.

1. Does parent monitoring really help the situation of cyberbullying?
For some children, parent monitoring can help. However, there are some parents who don’t really care what their children are doing. This is probably the reason that their children are prone to bullying. So, I don’t think parenting is the only issue. The internet is too available to young people who don’t know how to use it properly. There should be a way to track where internet activity (bullying) comes from. I realize this is a very romanticized ideal, but that is just another way that might prevent kids from making such terrible mistakes online.

2. How does it make you feel that cyberbullying is so prevalent in our children’s society?
Honestly, it scares me that kids are so open to this type of abuse. It scares me that although the internet can be used as such a great tool for some, that for others, it can be used for such bad intentions. I guess that’s just how the world works. It is wishful thinking that everything, one day, will be perfect and peaceful.