Parents need to be aware of the possible consequences of not keeping track of their children's online interactions. In cases of cyber bullying children have taken their own lives after feeling so completely desperate and out of control- in many cases to the complete shock and surprise of their loved ones. Bullying has been around forever, but never at such an intrusive and ostentatious level. The home used to be a haven for victims of bullying, not anymore. Children endure some of the most harmful and threatening comments while they sit in their rooms in silence. Those doing the bullying are generally worse than they would be in other environments. There is no supervision. No time for reflection, no time to cool down. Parents need to understand this and act accordingly. No child should end up like Ryan Halligan and Megan Meier. No child should be driven to take their own life from conversations they've had online. Parents need to be watching, they need to be aware.
As for the issue of digital immigrant parents not knowing how to engage in monitoring their children's internet lives, communities need to educate them on how to adequately and appropriately supervise their children's interactions online. They need to be versed in ways to educate and protect their children from becoming victims of cyber crimes. They need to be aware of the possible consequences of their inaction. We as educators need to ensure that this information is easily accessible to these adults. We need to be aware of the various ways that cyber bullying can impact our students classroom lives. We need to vigilant. We need to be informed.
I was delighted to see that you referred to cyberbullying as "ostentatious." That's an amazing word choice, and it really is ostentatious. In my reflection, I focused on leadership and suggested that it is not the parents responsibility to monitor their child on the internet, but to teach him or her to be a leader. I think we saw, especially in the Dateline video, the influence that a leader has on a group of people. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the leadership aspect of being the role model for your children, this is why it is so pivotal that parents educate themselves in order to teach their children to become leaders in these situations. However, I think the monitoring our children's social interactions is essential, especially at an early age. It's not like it was when we were in school. The average 11-13 year old already has a cell phone, and is online for 25-30 hours a week. It's not the world of phone conversations in ear shot of their parents and face to face social interaction. The overwhelming majority of their social interaction occurs via the internet. There is a reason why we want our 11 year olds to have parental supervision when they go to a friends house. We want to know that their behavior is being monitored- what about when they're at home and surfing the web? Shouldn't that same desire for supervision to ensure safety and well being apply?
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. Having been away from high school for seven years, I don't think I realize how tech-savvy teenagers are now. Seeing statistics isn't the same as experiencing firsthand how kids use technology. I tend to forget that today ten-year-olds have cell phones . . .
ReplyDeleteAs I stated in my post, I think that computers should be kept in public spaces in the home, and that parents should maintain an open line of communication with their children. I'm not sure how to resolve the issue of mobile devices. I think I would have had a significant problem with my mother sifting through my text messages. Respect is so important, even in a parent/child relationship. What can we do?