If you really want to understand cyberbullying, take advantage of a perspective that's essential to the discussion. View it from the inside-out – from teens' perspective, rather than that of adults on the outside looking in. "Friending" our kids online can help fill in the picture a bit, but talking with our own children and checking in on the work of researchers who talk with lots of other young … [Read more...] about Understanding cyberbullying from the inside out
school policy
A cyberbully’s explanation
A cyberbullying conviction in a US district court in Philadelphia starkly illustrates some important things. You might consider sharing this story at NJ.com with your kids and students. This was a particularly malicious act of cyberbullying, US District Judge Anita Brody said, so a lot of kids would probably say they'd never do such a thing and don't know anyone who would. But what they very well … [Read more...] about A cyberbully’s explanation
Addendum: Wisdom from a school counselor
After watching Brene Brown's talk, my friend Patti Agatston, a counselor with a school district in the Atlanta area and co-author of Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age, added some helpful background: "I loved the talk as well. [Brown] alluded to my favorite quote from the psychologist Rudolph Dreikurs, "Have the courage to be imperfect." He studied under the psychologist Alfred Adler … [Read more...] about Addendum: Wisdom from a school counselor
Student multitasking: Erase or embrace?
First, before I get into multitasking as promised in my last post, a public service announcement: Read From Fear to Facebook: One School's Journey, by middle school administrator Matt Levinson. I wish it could be required reading for every parent, teacher, administrator, district official, school board member, and employee of every state and federal education department in the country! It's not … [Read more...] about Student multitasking: Erase or embrace?
Parents’ own cyberbullying struggles
The parents of kids targeted by digital bullying and harassment often face some serious challenges of their own, as they work toward ending a child's ordeal. That's a key take-away from New York Times reporter Jan Hoffman's thoughtful front-page story on cyberbullying yesterday. Often their children, even when enduring a lot of emotional pain, don't want them to get involved (fearing a parent only … [Read more...] about Parents’ own cyberbullying struggles