Speedbrake Publishing

Top 10 Ways to Prevent Cyberbullying

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In the old days, bullies tended to be large, mean looking males, who know how to use their fists. These days, a cyberbully can be male or female, of any size and shape, and they only need enough strength to use a keyboard. To keep cyberbullies from ruining your child's day, you and your child just need to exercise a little common sense.

1. Don’t encourage anyone to use the Internet to bully someone.
2. If you can’t say something nice about someone in an email, IM, chat room, or anywhere else on the Internet, then don’t say it at all.
3. Don’t email or publish online any embarrassing photographs, videos, or audio recordings.
4. If you know that someone is being bullied online, tell someone.
5. Don’t send emails or other online messages that threaten a person.

6. Don’t send emails or other online messages that use foul or abusive language.
7. Don’t send or post angry messages online.
8. Follow family rules about online behavior.
9. Follow school rules about online behavior.
10. If you receive a threatening or harassing message, tell someone, especially a teacher or parent.

Just remember, cyberbullying is an online risk that can't be stopped by software or hardware. It can only be prevented by you.

Dr. Todd Curtis is the director of the AirSafe.com Foundation and an expert on the role using the Internet to educate the public about risk. This article was taken from his new book, Parenting and the Internet (Speedbrake Publishing, 2007). For more information, visit www.speedbrake.com.