Cyber Bullies “Cyber bullying is the use of modern communication technologies to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, or intimidate an individual in the attempt to gain power and control over them.” (Glenn R. Stutzky)

Megan MeierMegan Meier was a 13 year old from Missouri who struck up an online friendship on the popular social networking site MySpace with a person she believed was a new boy in her hometown. In actuality, the “friend” was a group of individuals, including adults, who were intent on humiliating the poor girl because of a friendship with another child that had gone awry. Megan was very upset when she found out the truth, then later committed suicide once the friendship had terminated. The horrifying case stunned the community and caused state government officials to pass some of the harshest cyber bullying laws in the country. MySpace cyber bullying laws Megan MeierMySpace cyber bullying laws

Nearly 35% of kids have been threatened online and almost one in five have had it happen more than once. The psychological and emotional outcomes of cyber- bullying are similar to real-life bullying outcomes, except for the reality that with cyber bullying there is often no escape. School ends at 3 p.m., while the Internet is available all the time Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber-bullying. About 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than once.

Activity Find a Partner and discuss the matter of Cyber bullying you and your partner come up with three solutions to the problem and also tell what social responsibility do you have if any to report cyber bullying within a short essay Also within this essay tell whether asking people to take personal responsibility in policing the matter is wrong or if people’s right to freedom of speech is being violated when reported against. Is it still wrong if the person’s name is not said but everyone still knows who this person is

After writing the essay I will pass out a worksheet expressing scenarios of friendly joking and cyber bulling it is up to each student to identify which is which and tell what makes the difference. For example, Carla asked Molly during a face book chat was she going to the party later. Molly’s response was of course I am silly goose. Was her behavior friendly joking or cyber bulling? The answer is friendly joking because Molly’s words were not trying to threaten, intimidate, or humiliate Carla