Resource # 1
Title: Stop Cyberbullying.org
Source: Program developed Parry Aftab and the Wired Safety Group (wired.safety.org)
Brief Description: This resource on cyberbullying includes discussions of what cyberbullying is, how it works, why cyberbullying occurs, prevention and taking specific actions against cyberbullying, with emphasis on when to contact and use law enforcement or the legal process.
Review: A comprehensive resource on the topic of cyberbullying that provides clearly written definitions and well organized discussions. It defines what cyberbullying is , i.e., when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. There have to be minor(s) on both sides, or at least the situation is initiated by a minor against another minor. Once adults become involved, it is cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. The page that defines cyberbullying displays a Flash presentation that portrays real-life examples of cyberbullying. This resource gives specific and detailed examples of direct attacks and cyberbullying by proxy, i.e. when a cyberbully gets someone else involved in bullying a victim. Cyberbullying by proxy is the most dangerous kind of cyberbullying because it often gets adults involved in the harassment and people who don't know they are dealing with a minor. This resource also discusses some of the motivations behind cyberbullying; steps for dealing with cyberbullying and taking a stand against it. There is a helpful section on prevention with focus on what parents can do, what schools should do, and how to stop cyberbullying once it starts. |
Key Points: This resource is especially effective because:
1) it addresses different age groups 7-10, 11-13 and 14-18;
2) includes a thorough checklist for appropriate cybercommunications http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/take_action/msparrysguidetonetiquette.html ;
3) it includes a survey "Are You a Cyberbully?", which is very specific and helpful in assessing this behavior
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/kids/are_you_a_cyberbully.html
4) it provides specific instructions for reporting cyberabuse See:
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/parents/ReportingCyberAbuse.pdf
5) it includes a quick guide to recognize the levels of response to a cyberbullying incident
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/parents/guide.html
5)Includes a comprehensive list and discussion on the different types of threats and which require intervention. Generally, the more repeated the communications are, the greater the threats (or enlarging this to include third-parties) and the more dangerous the methods, the more likely law enforcement or legal process needs to be used. See http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/lawenforcement/telling_the_difference.html
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Resource # 2
Title: Cyberbully411.org
Source: Created by Internet Solutions for Kids
Brief Description: Provides resources for primarily for teens who have questions about or have been targeted by online harassment. CyberBully411.com is listed as one of the essential online tools for parents and teens alike.
Review: This resource is described as a "well-researched roadmap to thwarting teen cyberbullying"; it is directed primarily toward teens. It includes profiles of youth who are often targeted and provides specific, effective steps for stopping cyberbullying.
Key Points:
* CyberBully411.com provides current statistics on how often different types of cyberbullying happen and describes who among teens are more frequently targeted and also some profile information on those who engage in cyberbullying.
* Includes a blog to post on various discussion topics of cyberbullying including who is targeted, what to do, bullying and depression, and parent's discussions.
* The "What to Do" page provides a short, but effective list for stopping cyberbullying -- see http://www.cyberbully411.org/what-to-do
* Provides an online depression assessment http://www.cyberbully411.org/depression
Depression is the most common outcome for youth who are bullied in person. This resource suggests the same may be true for some youth who are bullied or harassed online
* Provides ideas and recommendations for teens in talking with their parents. See
http://www.cyberbully411.org/how-to-talk-to-your-parents
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Resource #3
Title: Stand Up to Cyberbullying
Source: OnGuardOnline.gov
Brief Description: A basic introduction to cyberbullying
Review: This is a brief video introduction to cyberbullying which provides background information on what cyberbullying is and what steps to take to prevent it. It does not thoroughly explore different types of cyberbullying nor offer much detail on specific actions to stop cyberbullying.
Key Points: A brief summary in video format, somewhat simplistic and not a comprehensive resource. Its source, OnGuardOnline.gov has also published Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online (copies available at the 3/12/11 Digital Citizenry Presentation which does provide a list of other, more in-depth resources that focus on issues of cyberbullying. The complete content of this OnGuardOnline booklet is available online at this web address.
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Resource #4
Titles: Cyberbullying and Harassment and
Fixing Problems -- Cyberbullying and Harrassment
Source: http://www.staysafeonline.org/ Produced by the National Cyber Security Alliance
(NCSA). NCSA's mission is to educate and therefore empower a digital society to use the Internet safely and securely at home, work, and school, protecting the technology individuals’ use, the networks they connect to, and our shared digital assets.
Brief Description: The first resource provides an overview of educating parents and their children about cyberbullying and provides specific steps for protecting children from cyberbullying and harassment. The second resource provides direct links to resources for help if your social networking or email accounts have been compromised or you have expreienced cyberbullying, including links for help with eBay, FaceBook, GMail, MySpace, Twitter, Yahoo and YouTube.
Review: The second resource above may be especially helpful if users need immediate access to the help pages of these various social network sites or email, especially if they have experienced problems with communicating online.
Key Points:
The information provided on Cyberbullying and Harassment is useful and there are numerous links to other articles on basic internet safety for kids, online gaming, social networking, and mobile devices. There's also a self-assessment quiz at this site to determine how cyber- secure you are. http://www.staysafeonline.org/ serves as an up-to-date resource for general information and other links on major issues relating to Internet safety.
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Resource #5
Title: Cyberbullying Research Center -- Resources
Source: Cyberbullying Research Center
Brief Description: The Cyberbullying Research Center is dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents. The CRC defines cyberbullying as "willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices."
Review: The Resources page of the Cyberbullying Research Center provides a comprehensive listing of resources including: podcasts and radio interviews, activities for kids and teens, resources for talking with youth about cyberbullying, online quizzes to test your knowledge, handouts to encourage appropriate postings online, resources for schools and home, other reference materials and the top ten prevention, response and safety lists. Provides thorough research summaries and includes descriptions of programs and presentations for schools, educator workshops, etc. This is probably the most extensiveresource available for all content types on cyberbullying.
Key Points:
* Provides comprehensive collection of resources available on cyberbullying.
* Offers descriptions and reviews of the latest literature including books, journal articles, book chapters, research summaries, and fact sheets.
* Includes a blog which provides statistics on cyberbullying worldwide among other topics.
* Includes a comprehensive listing of upcoming events relating to cyberbullying.
* Online research-based factsheets including: Cyberbullying and Self-Esteem, Cyberbullying and Suicide, Cyberbullying and Strain, and Trends in Adolescents' Social Networking Use.
* Offers mailing list to receive periodic updates.
