Cyber Bullying: Protecting Kids and Adults from Online Bullies Book

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

1 The New Reality of Bullying and Cyber Bullying 1

What Is Cyber Bullying? 2

Prominent Examples of Modern Bullying and Cyber Bullying 4

Common Aspects of Modern Bullying Cases 7

Growing Up with Information Technology (IT) 9

Technology-Enabled Generation Shift and the Onset of Social Computing 11

Digital Youth Culture 12

Harmful Aspects of Digital Youth Culture 17

Contemplating the Future 21

2 Characteristics and Causes of Bullying Among Individuals and Groups 23

Bullies and Their Victims 24

The Ten Commonly Believed Myths about Bullying 29

Online Deceit and Incivility 37

Cultural and Media Perpetuation 42

Other Things that Contribute to Bullying in Society 46

3 Technological Means and Methods of Cyber Bullying 55

Cyber Bullying Is Bullying with Technological Twists 56

Digital Shorthand for Communicating Online 61

Digital Tactics for Tormenting Others Online 63

4 Cyber Bullying Research, Surveys, and Studies 77

Pioneering Studies, Surveys, and Research Projects 78

What Does All This Research Mean? 94

5 Legal Issues-What Can Be Done about Cyber Bullying? 97

Constitutional Issues Related to Online Communications 99

Case Law Pertaining to Cyber Bullying 102

Criminal Laws Pertaining to Cyber Bullying 110

Civil Laws Pertaining to Cyber Bullying 116

6 Closing the Digital Divide for Parents 123

You Didn't Get the Memo on Cyber Safety? 124

Teenage Brain Research: Another Reason to Get Involved 129

The Scoop on Supervision-Build Trust 130

For Parents of a Cyber Bullying Victim 133

For the Parents of the Cyber Bully 137

Prevention Through Establishing and Enforcing Rules 138

Educate, BetterEducate, and Re-Educate (Yourself)! 140

The Importance of Information Security and Family Acceptable Use Policies 141

Effective Supervision and Communication 145

Ethics and Education Through Role Positive Modeling 147

Be on the Lookout for Warning Signs 149

7 Emerging Best Practices for Schools 153

Adult Responses to Bullying 154

Teacher Attitudes toward Bullying 155

Theoretical Framework: Effectiveness of Prevention Programs 156

Prevention Strategies for Schools 157

Incorporating Cyber Bullying into Existing Bullying Prevention Efforts 161

Sample Action Steps for a Cyber Bullying Public Relations Campaign 162

Supervising Student Use of Information Technology Devices in Schools 164

Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning in Schools 165

Cyber Bullying Response and Investigation Strategies 167

8 Advice for Students and Other Victims of All Ages 175

Adult Bullying 176

Online Bullying in the Workplace 182

Bullying of Children Who Are Different 187

General Strategies and Advice 188

Appreciating Diversity and Standing Up Against Injustice 190

Concluding Thoughts and Looking Ahead 192

Notes 197

Bibliography 207

Index 213