Cyber Crimes… Cyberbullying …

Cyber Crimes… Cyberbullying …

The Internet is a wonderful thing and the sort of invention that we all wish we had when we were at school. Revising for tests and completing homework would have been so much easier with sites like Wikipedia and Google to help us out. Staying in touch with our friends would also have been so much easier had we been able to use Facebook and Twitter.



Of course, with the immediacy that these websites offer, come the inherent dangers too. Safety online is of paramount importance and it's vital to realize that just because someone claims to be one thing, such as a friend or teenager, they may not necessarily be so.

The instant nature of the Internet also means that you can reach people within seconds, and they can reach you “whether you want them to or not. This has helped in many ways, but has also caused problems with an increase of bullying. Online bullying is known as Cyberbullying, and is just as big a problem as bullying at school or on the street. In fact, Cyberbullying can be worse because the bullies can reach you wherever you are.

If someone you do not want to speak to is attempting to bully you online you should block all contact with them. Remove them from Facebook, adjust your privacy settings so they can't contact you and never contact them. Block them from chat programs such as MSN and Yahoo as well. If you ignore Cyberbullies, they will give up as they will have no way of bullying you. If you have given out any personal details, be sure to tell an adult and change your mobile and email address if need be.

I have read many stories where people who were bullied online actually experienced some very negative consequences.

It is almost as dangerous as being bullied in person and many people say that it is worse. It is imperative that parents all over the world are aware that cyberbullying exists. It is important that we take cyberbullying seriously and that if it is happening to someone that you know or your child that you do something about it.

It may be worse. It is devastating to know that the victims of cyberbullying experience many similar effects as children who are bullied in person, although cyber bullying is more extreme to victims due to various factors:
* People say things online that they may not say in real life. The element of being behind a computer screen may give bullies a sense of power and this may make them go to verbal extremes.
* The damage is far reaching. Children can send emails saying nasty things about someone else and send it to their entire class, or alternatively post it on a website for the entire world to view.
* It occurs in the child’s actual home. Due to the aspect that the internet is universal, being bullied online means that children can be bullied in their own homes. This could cause children to feel unsafe where ever there is a computer, with the inclusion of their own homes.
* Anonymity is another issue. Cyberbullies tend to sometimes hide behind email addresses and nick names that don’t identify who they are.

Today's generation is more openly connected than any other that came before it. All thanks to the Internet and Digital Technology. Our kids understand a great deal about the internet and cell phones. They spend a large part of their day on both of these devices, maintaining a constant connection with the world. They don't ever want to lose either one, so they expertly hide any evidence of internet bullying from us while keeping their anxieties a well-guarded secret.

Unfortunately, today's parents have far too many responsibilities to attend to and they often feel...
• They are no longer connecting with their kids, especially when it comes to their online activities and exchanges.
• They are unfamiliar with the new tools and technology that kids are spending so much time on.
• Like most parents, they have absolutely no idea what their kids are experiencing these days.
• They wouldn't know exactly what to do about cyber bullying when it finally strikes their home.

Some frightening statistics we should be aware of:
• 1 in 7 children who regularly use the Internet is sexually solicited
• 1 in 11 is harassed or threatened
• 31 percent receive an aggressive sexual solicitation or are asked to meet
• 79 percent of solicitations occur in the child's home
• 56 percent of children do not tell anyone about the solicitations

Internet tips for parents:
• Explore the Internet with your children. It’s the best way to know what they see and to help them find kid-friendly sites.
• Once you’re at the sites remind kids to be careful in giving out their real name, address or other personal information in a chat room, to online pen pals or on electronic bulletin boards.
• Use an online filter. Most Internet providers offer a filter to their customers. If they don’t, consider purchasing software that can filter their activity when you’re not around.
• Set online rules (when, why and with whom present) and let your children know that using the Internet for personal reasons is a privilege and not a right.
• Teach your children the meaning of private and personal – even family – information. Encourage them to post messages only with your permission and supervision.
• Show your child the difference between advertisement and entertainment. A young child may not realize when a favorite cartoon is gathering market data or trying to sell them something.

Internet Resources for Parents
• http://www.familyguidebook.com – A Family Guide to the Internet.
• http://www.getnetwise.com - A resource for parents to educate themselves and their children about how to use the Internet safely. They provide information on filtering software and recommend safe web sites for children of all ages.
• http://www.cyberangels.org - An Internet safety organization with a mission to be a cyberspace neighborhood watch and to fight Internet crime.
• http://www.protectkids.com – A site dedicated to protecting children on the Internet and educating parents.
• http://www.netsmartz.org – A comprehensive website full of information, suggestions, websites, and tips for Internet safety.
• http://www.cybersmartcurriculum.org/ - A free K-8 curriculum empowering students to use the Internet safely, responsibly and effectively.

Know What Your Kids Are Saying-The New Digital Language-To Protect Your Kids, Speak Their Language
Whether it's text messaging, e-mails, or in chat rooms, young people have developed a digital language all their own. Do you know what your kids are saying online? Internet predators do. Below are some acronyms that are being used by young people today, and what you see will surprise you!

121 One To One
IWALU I Will Always Love You
PA Parent Alert
A/S/L? Age, Sex, Location
KOC Kiss On Cheek
PAL Parents Are Listening
CID Crying In Disgrace
KOL Kiss On Lips
PANB Parents Are Near By
CRBT Crying Real Big Tears
LMIRL Lets Meet In Real Life
POS Parents Over Shoulder
F2F Face To Face
NIFOC Nude If Front Of Computer
SWAK Sealed With A Kiss
FUD Fear, Uncertainty And Doubt
NP Nosy parents or No Problem
TAW Teachers Are Watching
ILU I Love You
OLL Online Love
WTGP Want To Go Private?
IPN I'm Posting Nude
P911 My parents are coming!
TOS Teacher Over Shoulder
WUF Where Are You From?
LOL Laughing out loud
YBS You’ll Be Sorry

Source: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, US

You always want to make absolutely sure that you're doing everything you can to protect your kids, especially when it comes to bullying. Things aren't the same, simple way they used to be. Now, instead of just being confined to the schoolyard, bullying has found a new way to torment your kids by following them everywhere they go... even at home when you think they're safe. That's because bullying and harassment have been fully modernized and supercharged, and they're much more dangerous now than ever before. Parents, knowing very little about this secretive problem, are struggling to help their kids cope with cyber bullying.

It's time to learn about what's really going on in your home. Find out what it really takes to be sure your kids are safe from internet harassment. Help them find a way out of this nightmare, before things get totally out of control. Computers, cell phones, and the internet are becoming very important aspects of our kid's lives. It opens up a whole new world of communication and learning tools for them, but how do we make sure that they're safe? All this new technology has given bullies even greater power to victimize our kids. That old rhyme, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me", wasn't helpful to you back then, and it's even less helpful to today's youth still struggling to gain acceptance with friends while also having to deal with aggressive online bullying.


Recent studies have shown us that 13% of teens have already received threatening emails and text messages.
Over 15% of teens say they've had their private conversations posted online for all to see.
Over 13% of teens have had false rumors spread about them somewhere online.
The situation is already pretty bad, and it continues to grow worse every day like cancer spreading through the body. Internet Bullying is turning millions of kids and their families into helpless victims of online harassment. This sad story is being repeated in homes all over the world, so let's not let yours be the next. Most parents are completely unaware of the potential harm their kids may suffer. They clearly have no idea what this problem is or what their kids are dealing with. They don't know enough about the technology or where to get expert help. They don't think the problem of cyber bullying is bad enough to worry about yet. It's bad alright, and quickly getting worse. With so many responsibilities on their plate, they don't have the time.