Journal # 5

"How To Fight the New Bullies" by Rosalind Wiseman

This article addresses a new concern of online communication. The author admits that it is usually over looked since parents are more aware or concerned with their child being a victim than being a perpetrator of a crime. These "Cyberbullies" use many forms of online communication such as email text messaging and more to intimidate or humiliate other kids. One reason Wiseman believes this to be so prevalent is the anonymity of the crime. Now kids can do or say what they want about someone true or not and have absolutely no negative repercussions. In a response to this article a Laura M. commented that simply taking the means to do this away from a child is not punishment enough but a face to face confrontation is necessary. I agree but as Wiseman also claims that is not always so easy. First one would have to be found guilty of the act and second the parent of this child would have to care. Sounds silly but telling a parent that their child is guilty of something might not go as smooth as Laura M. may think.
This is a serious problem though and measures need to be taken to ensure that these occurrences do not continue.

Question 1: At what level should rules addressing "Cyberbullying" be created and enforced?
Rules addressing "Cyberbullying" should be discussed at all levels of school administration. At the district level certain basic guidelines should be established. Within each school those guidelines should be followed and any other more specific issues should be addressed and discussed with faculty and parents. Within the classroom any suspicious activity should be noted and relayed to parents. Parents themselves need to monitor their child's activities and check bills and other records of cell phones to monitor text messages and other communication activity.

Question 2: Would it be more productive to teach etiquette or punish those accuse of such "Cyberbullying" Crimes?
It is always better to educate one about the pros and con's of their actions but with the sudden emergence of technology and the generation gap between those commonly using it and those enforcing etiquette their needs to be a set of guidelines enforced. If these guidelines are not enforced punishments need to be distributed.