If you are a Tahoma School District parent of 4th or 5th graders, you received the notice yesterday that the Maple Valley Chief of Police, Michelle Bennett, will be visiting schools to address cyber bullying.
In recent years, Bennett has spoken with Tahoma high schoolers and middle schoolers about this dangerous increasing national trend. But in December she began addressing elementary students to raise awareness and prevent harm resulting from inappropriate online messaging. Often times the younger children are unaware of the consequences hurtful words have, and that they are, in fact, a form of bullying.
According to the Cyberbulling Research Center, there are warning signs parents can look for if they feel their child is a victim of, or cyberbullying others:
Cyberbulling Victims May
- unexpectedly stop using the computer
- appear nervous or jumpy when an email message appears
- seem uneasy about going to school
- appear to be angry, frustrated or depressed after using the computer
- avoid discussions about what they are doing on the computer
- become abnormally withdrawn from usual friends and family members
Cyberbullies May
- quickly switch screens or close programs when you walk by
- use the computer at all hours of the night
- become unusually upset if s/he cannot use the computer
- laugh excessively while using the computer
- avoid discussions about what they are doing on the computer
- use multiple online accounts or accounts that are not their own
Get Involved
Cyberbullying affects people of all ages. Prevention is best achieved when started early by talking with children about the issue, keeping open communications, and stressing the importance of what they post online. The Maple Valley police department, in conjunction with the school district, is staying on top of the issue, but as parents it's our job to help our kids understand family values related to bullying, make them aware of what cyberbullying is, and warn against the dangers and consequences of it. Take a stand at home. For how to address this issue with your children, take a look at Say It 2 My Face.org, a campaign against cyberbullying and a protest against anonymous websites that foster hate. It helps kids understand that often what they say online is very different than what they would say to someone in person. It encourages personal responsibility and a pledge in which people agree to hold themselves accountable for what they say online.
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