Online Bullying-Jerica and Taylor

*Journal Article*

http://xlib1.ohiolink.edu:8331/V/GEK5DGCCER72A6B1CQ9U3DBMY9KB2XA5LTVCPK8FI3VYFJ9ESV-05234?func=quick-3&short-format=002&set_number=018788&set_entry=000002&format=999

This article discusses how serious online bullying can be for middle school and high school students. A girl in the article, named Phoebe Prince, was a victim of online bullying and she hanged herself because of the embarrassment it caused her. This article addresses the lack of parental supervision most children experience while using the Internet. The author describes ways that schools and parents can stop the effects of cyber bullying.

*Taylor's Reflection:

I knew that online bullying was a serious problem but I never knew how serious. The girl in this article was the new girl at school and her peers continued to do awful things to her through the Internet and eventually it pushed her to hang herself. I think it is so important that parents have all passwords to their children's e-mail, facebook, myspace, and any other accounts that they have. Everything that students do online in school should be closely monitored by the teachers. A good way to help prevent online bullying would be to actually talk about it at home and in school. Articles such as this one should be read to students so they know how serious online bullying really is. Students may think that they are just joking but when they see how their negativity can lead to someone committing suicide they may think before they bully someone again. At least I would hope so.

*Jerica's Reflection:

I also never realized how bad cyber bullying was. I always knew that it was out there and children really suffered from it, but when you read articles such as this one, it really makes you wonder how bad it is. Cyber bullying is an issue that can take someone's life. I really believe that children should be better monitored while they are online. This is not only at school but while they are online at home as well. Some children will never stand up and say that they are being bullied until it is too late and they have taken their own life. I think this is a very important topic that needs to be discussed in schools and starting at the beginning of school agers. It will never go away but in my opinion it can be better controlled with a little more monitoring.


*Online Bullying Website*

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html

This is a great website about cyber bullying. It explains what cyber bullying is, how it works, why people do it, how to prevent it, how to take action, and what the laws are about it. There are different age groups that can be clicked on and each age group is able to take a survey called, "Are you a Cyber Bully?" 

*Taylor's Reflection:

I think that the surveys, "Are you a Cyber Bully?" are a wonderful idea. This is something I would have my students take to make them really think about their actions when using the Internet. Those surveys are a great way to reach out and try to prevent cyber bullying. 

*Jerica's Reflection:  

I really liked this website and I think that it is very helpful for children who are experiencing cyber bullying. It has all of the information that you need. It tells you what it is and any information about it. I really like the links that you can click on to find out exactly what you are trying to figure out.  


*The Life of a Cyber Bully Victim Video*



This video shows first hand what a little girl goes through on a day to day basis that is being cyber bullied. She seems to be an outcast that everyone makes fun of. The video has a section where the teacher in the school has a group discussion about cyber bullying. 

*Taylor's Reflection:

I was glad to see a teacher reach out and have a group discussion when she realized the little girl was becoming an outcast because she was being cyber bullied. I think this video would be great for any educator to watch because it shows what signs to look for in our students if they are having an issue such as cyber bullying. If a teacher notices a student is being picked on or bullied they should really reach out to get to the bottom of what is going on. It could save a life because many teens are finding the only way to get away from the embarrassment and humiliation behind any type of bullying is committing suicide. 

*Jerica's Reflection:

I really liked this video. It not only showed the life of the little girl and what she went through, but it also showed a teacher seeing the signs and reaching out. I feel that this is very important in schools and that teachers need to be aware of which students are always being left out. They need to pay attention to which students are never being included in things and being picked on. One teacher reaching out to a student can be the difference of their life. I feel that teachers can make such a huge difference in a child's life because they are with them sometimes the most out of anyone else int he child's life.