Cyber Bullying - how does it affect you?

This weekend you all have an article to read about the occurrence of bullying through electronic devices - IM, email, texting, chat rooms, facebook, etc. We know what people are doing in these communication places, but do we really understand the consequences of this type of behavior? Have you ever been the victim of cyberbullying? or done or said something that you thought would be harmless because it was online - or because you could be sort of anonymous? Please share some of your thoughts and ideas about the readings you have done and your own experiences with cyberbullying. Include the title of your article when you respond:

• #1 - Mr. D: Excerpts from a blog
• #3 - Are you a cyberbully?
• #4 - Because I Can
• #5 - Take 5!
• #6 - High-Tech Bullies

Do you have any stories to share about this type of bullying? (PLEASE leave out the names of people involved - we're not trying t get anyone in trouble here!) Write about anything that relates to this concept below - make connections to what's happening in real life because this problem is not going away. How can we deal with it? What steps can we take? Can we make a difference in our school? Let's get ready to have both small group and large group seminars about this topic next week and see what we can do as a group to make a difference!

Group Seminar #2

So, now that you've read about the news regarding your group topic, what do you think? Remember that, even though you might not be entirely interested in the topic of news, there are things that relate to this idea which you should consider. What experiences have you had in your life that are similar to what happened here? Do you know anyone who has been impacted by this event or something related to it? Think about what you would do if you had to come up with a way to deal with what has happened (say, you were the President of a school or Junior Mayor in the town where this event occurred). How would you deal with the issues facing the people involved? What actions would be best to help deal with this situation? What would you do now that you have the information in the article? Did the author of the article report facts or just try to influence you with their opinion? Ring leaders will be busy writing questions which will create a discussion that somehow relates to the article - what questions do you think would spark a great conversation about it?

Remember to write which article title you read at the beginning of your paragraph:

• A Gathering of Leaders
• Shaken Up
• Students Talk Health at the White House
• Touchdown for Technology
• Tragedy in West Virginia Coal Mine

Get ready for great discussions Thursday morning, 4/22/10! C U then :)