1. Ashley Counce

2. What is Cyber Bullying?  Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. By definition, it occurs among young people. When an adult is involved, it may meet the definition of cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking, a crime that can have legal consequences and involve jail time.

3. What makes it different?  Kids who are being cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well. Because of technology children have a harder time getting away from the behavior.  Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.

4. Don’t blame technology  Social media sites can be used for positive activities, like connecting kids with friends and family, helping students with school, and for entertainment.  But these tools can are used those who intend to hurt other people. Whether done in person or through technology, the effects of bullying are similar.

5. How Can You Spot It?  signs of emotional distress during or after using the Internet or the phone  being very protective or secretive of their digital life  withdrawal from friends and activities  avoidance of school or group gatherings  slipping grades and "acting out" in anger at home  changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or appetite

6. How can parents help?  Talk about experiences  Talk to school teachers or administrators  Block bully  Limit access to technology  Look to online world

7. What if your child is the bully?  Finding out that your kid is the one who is behaving inappropriately can be upsetting and heartbreaking. It's important to address the problem head on and not wait for it to go away.

8. What you can do  Talk to your child firmly about his or her actions and explain the negative impact it has on others. Joking and teasing might seem OK, but it can hurt people's feelings and lead to getting in trouble.  Remind your child that the use of cell phones and computers is a privilege. Sometimes it helps to restrict the use of these devices until behavior improves.

9. Phones can be safe  If you feel your child should have a cell phone for safety reasons, make sure it is a phone that can only be used for emergency purposes.  Insist on strict parental controls on all devices if there is any history of your child making impulsive decisions when they are online.

10. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act  A federal law, was created to help protect kids online.  It's designed to keep anyone from obtaining a child's personal information without a parent knowing about it and agreeing to it first. COPPA requires websites to explain their privacy policies on the site and get parental consent before collecting or using a child's personal information, such as a name, address, phone number, or Social Security number. The law also prohibits a site from requiring a child to provide more personal information than necessary to play a game or participate in a contest.

11. Get invloved  Become computer literate and learn how to block objectionable material.  Keep the computer in a common area, not in individual bedrooms, where you can watch and monitor its use.  Share an email account with your child so you can monitor messages.  Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.  Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.  Forbid your child from entering private chat rooms; block them with safety features provided by your Internet service provider or with special filtering software. Be aware that posting messages to chat rooms reveals a user's email address to others.

12. Stay involved  Monitor your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.  Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or anyplace where kids could use a computer without your supervision.  Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.  Forward copies of obscene or threatening messages you or your kids get to your Internet service provider.  Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 if you're aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography online. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.

13. Basic rules  Follow the rules you set, as well as those set by your Internet service provider.  Never trade personal photographs in the mail or scanned photographs over the Internet.  Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location. Use only a screen name. Never agree to meet anyone from a chat room in person.  Never respond to a threatening email or message.  Always tell a parent about any communication or conversation that was scary.  If your child has a new "friend," insist on being "introduced" online to that friend.

14. Crisis  If parents and teacher staff can work together we can help and prevent Cyber bullying.  So many kids fall victim to this.  You may not even know until its too late. Be sure to talk to your child and let them know you are there for them, regardless the situation.

15. Conclusion  But even with the laws and acts, your kids' best online protection is you.  By talking to them about potential online dangers and monitoring their computer use, you'll help them surf the Internet safely.

16. Reference  Story of a young girl. Story of a young girl.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/erin- gallagher-irish-teen-commits-suicide-battle- cyberbullying_n_2040850.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/29/erin- gallagher-irish-teen-commits-suicide-battle- cyberbullying_n_2040850.html  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/style/28bully.h tml?pagewanted=all http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/style/28bully.h tml?pagewanted=all