Putting a Stop to Cyber Bullying – Internet Monitoring Software Encourages Prevention

What is Cyber Bullying? 

In the past few years cyber bullying has risen as a very serious threat among children, teens, and preteens. This offense occurs in any form of digital harassment, threat, embarrassment, or humiliation. Cyber bullying takes place between minors on the instigator’s and victim’s sides.It can happen through a direct attack (text message, email, instant message) or by proxy, in which the instigator frames the victim and has others perform the dirty work, making the instigator look like the good guy.

Cyber bullying is an easily identifiable offense that in most instances occurs over an extended period of time. In the most serious cases, children have committed suicide and even killed one another.

Cyber Bullying and the Law

The legal repercussions of cyber bullying range widely from misdemeanor cyber harassment charges to state or federal charges if hacking or privacy invasion is involved. Many parents will try pressing criminal accusations that can result in juvenile delinquency charges if enough evidence is provided.

The line is blurred as far as how involved schools can get in cyber bullying discipline. If it takes place outside of school hours or off-campus, schools run the risk of being sued for overstepping their authority and infringing upon students’ freedom of speech. Often times, schools lose the lawsuit.

Preventing Cyber Bullying from the Roots

If schoolteachers and administrators can only be so involved, how can cyber bullying be prevented outside of children using better judgment? The first step is to educate both students and their parents on the law of cyberethics and the consequences of cyber bullying.

Another effective option is convincing the school board to implement Internet monitoring software. With children’s ubiquitous access to the Internet, the options of attack are virtually limitless. Internet monitoring software blocks websites in the classroom where cyber bullying takes place, observes student web browsing history and patterns as well as records their e-communications.

In too many instances, students come forward as victims of cyber bullying with no hard evidence. Internet monitoring software helps support these claims by showing all relevant emails, chats, and online discussions that display abuse. Internet monitoring software can create thorough trend reports, filter hazardous websites, and work with a school’s CIPA requirements for Internet safety policies.

Education as an institution was originated to provide a safe, developmental, and socially healthy environment for children to learn and grow. Cyber bullying has stunted the education system and in worst-case situations ended children’s lives. Internet monitoring software helps protect students, encouraging positive face-to-face interaction and mental and physical well being while in school.  

ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com