Cyber
Bullying
Parenting Education Workshop
given by:
Brittney Dorsey
Brenda Nguyen
Jessica Osborn
Danieal Sanzo
Keri Sparks
Audience
This parenting education workshop is
designed for parents of adolescents.
Overview
The Cyberbullying curriculum is a researched-based, interactive program made
possible by five Family Studies/Family Consumer Science students at Texas Woman’s
University, whose stated mission is to teach, encourage and empower parents in hopes
of promoting healthy and safe communities for their children. The program is based
on principles that seek to teach parents useful skills which have been shown to
strengthen and empower families on their knowledge of what is or could possibly be
going on in their children’s lives.
The program is tailored to fit the needs for the entire family, including parents,
children, and even extended family members. It aims not only to help parents enhance
their own knowledge but also helps children gain insight on the severity cyberbullying
is and can be.
During the workshop, the topics that will be presented are as follows:
1. The definition of cyberbullying and different technology used
2. Examining signs of cyberbullying whether it is in the victim or bully
3. Identifying prevention techniques or where to go to report it if it has
already happened
Through a combination of open discussion and activities: each parent will be
able to walk away from this workshop with more knowledge about:
1. What cyberbullying is and how to identify it, whether it is the victim or the bully
themselves
2. How it impacts the victims
3. How to prevent it
4. Tools and resources that are available to handling or reporting the behavior
Credentials
Brittney Dorsey is majoring in Family Studies towards her M.A. in
Counseling and Development to become a Family Therapist. She has taken
numerous education courses such as Foundations of Early Childhood, Child
Family and Communication, Schools and Society, and Early Childhood
Development. She is currently enrolled in a course of Parenting Issues and
Education, and Childhood and Adolescence.
Brenda Nguyen is a senior at Texas Woman’s University and is currently
majoring in Family Studies with plans to attend graduate school for family
counseling and therapy. She has previously taken courses in the Family Studies
field such as Child in the Family and Community and Family Development. She
is currently enrolled in Parenting Issues and Education and interning at Texas
AgriLife Extension Services where she works with a wide population of
adolescents and young adults in the middle and high school levels.
Jessica Osborn is a Family Studies major. She has two children which are in
the beginning of the adolescent age group. She has taken courses in childhood
adolescence and parent education, and she has worked with children of all ages
in a childcare facility.
Danieal Sanzo is majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences to become a
high school teacher. She has previously taken courses in sociology, childhood
and adolescence, developmental sexuality, advanced computer technology, and
microcomputer applications. She is currently enrolled in a parenting issues and
education course.
Keri Sparks is majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences to become a high
school teacher. She is the mother of three children, one of which is of
adolescent age. She has previously taken courses in childhood and adolescence,
family development, developmental sexuality, and several education courses in
which she observed high school classrooms. She is also currently enrolled in a
parenting issues, advanced computer technology, and education course.
Goals & Objectives
Goal # 1: To Increase parent understanding of the impact of
cyber bulling on adolescents
Objectives:
1. Define cyber bulling
2. Discuss different forms of technology used
3. Relate how cyber bulling impacts adolescents
Goal # 2: Inform and empower parents on what they can do to
prevent cyber bulling.
Objectives:
4. Examine signs of cyber bulling, victim or bully?
5. Identify prevention techniques
6. Present a variety of tools and resources available to
parents
Procedures
The workshop will open with the group members introducing the topic and target audience.
Individual members of the group will then introduce themselves and their credentials.
Brittney: Our first goal for this workshop is to increase parent understanding of the impact of
cyberbullying on adolescents and by accomplishing that goal, we will give a definition of what
cyberbullying is, discuss the different forms of technology used, and relate how cyberbullying
impacts the adolescents.
Brenda: Our second goal for this workshop is to inform and empower parents on what they can
do to prevent cyberbullying. How we are going to do that is by identifying prevention
techniques, examine the signs of cyberbullying: the victim and the bully, and lastly present a
variety of tools and resources that are available to parents.
Keri: “On October 16, 2006, in Missouri, a thirteen-year-old girl named Megan Mier killed
herself after receiving cruel MySpace.com messages from someone who she believed to be her
online boyfriend – a sixteen-year-old named “Josh Evans.” The tragedy was compounded by the
subsequent revelation that “Evans” did not actually exist. “Evans had been created on MySpace,
a popular Internet social networking site, through a group effort by Lori Drew, the mother of a
former friend of Mier and a neighbor of the Mier family; Drew‟s teenage daughter, Sarah; and
Ashley Grills, a teenage employee of Drew. State officials declined to pursue any type of
criminal action as they could not find any prosecutable crime.”
Keri: The girls stated that, “the original idea… was to lure Megan to make nasty remarks about
Sarah, which she and Ms. Drew would then present to Megan‟s mother… the idea morphed into
other methods of humiliating the girl – devised by Ms. Drew.”
Keri: “Shortly before Megan took her own life…she received a message from „Josh Evans‟
telling her „The world would be a better place without you…‟ Megan shot back a response a few
seconds later,” that said, “„you are the kind of boy a girl would kill herself over,‟” (Cooley,
2009).
Keri: Cyberbullying is something that is becoming more known in our society today and people
don‟t tend to realize the severity since it‟s not really a physical attack but rather emotional one.
Danieal will talk to us about what cyberbullying is really about.
Danieal: How is everyone today?
Danieal: I like to start by just taking a quick survey of hands of how many people in this room
have seen, experienced, or been a victim of some sort of bullying when they where either a pre-
teen or teenager?
Danieal: This could have been something such as being teased or not dressing like others, being
taunted by boys, or being called names by school peers.
Danieal: Pre-Knowledge Quiz
Danieal: According to the Anti-Defamation League most people have been a witness to some
sort of bully in their lifetime.
Danieal: Bullying is a method of intimidation that takes many different forms and has existed
through the generations. Traditionally, bullying took place outside of home, either at school or in
a victim‟s neighborhood.
Danieal: In most cases traditionally victims of bullying where able to get away from the
harassment by running to the safety of their homes.
Danieal: Well today we have a new form of bully starting to take shape that can be even harsher
than the traditional types of bullying.
Danieal: A victim is unable to escape the harassment easily and the humiliation is not always
visible to a crowd and doesn‟t go away when the onlookers leave.
Danieal: What we have today is CYBERBULLING!
Danieal: Cyberbullying is a form of bullying in which the perpetrator chooses to harass his or
her victim through technological devices. In cyberbullying, bullies use computers, cell phones,
social-networking sites (Facebook & Myspace) and other technology to threaten or humiliate
others. (Patchin & Hinduja, 2006).
Brenda: So now that you have a bit more information on cyberbullying, where does it start?
Brenda: As you have probably heard many times before, cyberbullying has really become a
problem especially amongst the adolescence and young adults group in the last decade.
Brenda: Who in here have children of your own or just even know of anyone between these age
frames that own cell phones or have access to the internet?
Brenda: About 80% of adolescents own or have easy access to at least one form of media
technology whether it is in their own home or at school in the computer labs.
Brenda: Many of us, myself included, greatly depend on the internet and our cell phones. It‟s
become a very convenient way for us to communicate with family and friends.
Brenda: It‟s also been recorded that this new form of technology has made it easier for some
who are typically shy in person to make friends via the internet as well (youth who are home
schooled or those who are socially anxious). (Riedel,C., 2008)
Brenda: Even though technology has many perks to it, it has also become easier for people to
gain information about you that is not intended for them to know about and is used in ways to
embarrass you.
Brenda: Increasing numbers of adolescents are becoming victim to aggression perpetrated by
peers because of this.
Brenda: Cyberbullying occurs mostly online and it can be anything negative or hurtful words or
images exchanged through e-mails, chat rooms, instant messaging (AIM, Yahoo, MSN), forum
posts, social networking websites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter), Youtube, blogs (Xanga,
Tumblr), webcam chat (Skype, Oovoo), cell phone via phone call threats, text messaging, picture
messaging, and even through photoshop via manipulating pictures.
Brenda: Just a few examples, although cyberbullying is definitely not limited to this, but it can
include adolescents creating websites or web pages, sending emails, or text messages that are
intended to embarrass or harass a peer and/or to threaten physical harm. Being bombarded by
anonymous threatening and taunting emails at home, even though there is no direct harassment at
school. The victim has no idea who is sending the messages and starts to feel like everybody is
against them. A school bulletin board is spammed with name-calling posts that spread vicious
rumors about a specific student. The rumors are obviously not true but kids at school see the
posts and believe them. A nasty fake profile is posted at a social networking site using a
student‟s real name, photo, and contact information. That student starts getting weird email
messages from strangers who think the profile is real. Some of the messages are crude. Some of
the messages are mean.
Brenda: Some cyberbullying actually occurs while students are at school by students using cell
phones or the district Internet system (Willard, N., 2007).
Brenda: Although most schools lock specific websites, mostly social networking websites on
their school campuses and restrict computer usage to just research purposes- student frequently
can bypass these filters in order to get to websites where they are able to post “damaging
material”.
Brenda: About ten years ago, we didn‟t hear about cyberbullying much and that is because
nowadays computers are becoming increasingly affordable. Internet access is becoming easier to
acquire (wireless), and if there is no access to Internet at home- they can commonly overcome
through the peer-increasing numbers of public institutions that provide complimentary online
access
Brenda: Unfortunately, the popularity of the use of the internet means adolescents are now a
target 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Brenda: In a small survey that was conducted via online, 25% claim that they spend a little over
4 hours a week on the internet and 25% gain access to the Internet at community centers. 70%
claim that it is easier to make friends online than in the real world. Among students in grade
levels 5-12, 25% report that they feel better or more positive about themselves while online than
they do in the real world so therefore they resort to seeking comfort in the internet and the social
networks available. 27% admit that it is easier to be accepted into online groups rather than in
real-world groups at school. (Hinduja, S. and Patchin, J., 2009)
Brenda: So now Jessica will cover how it actually impacts the adolescents.
Jessica: Cyberbullying continues to produce harmful offenses towards children and teens at an
alarming rate.
Jessica: “Around 20 to 40% of youths have experienced some form of cyberbullying at least
once in their lives”{Tokunaga,277}.
Jessica: These youths may develop serious psychological and academic problems do to
cyberbullying.
Jessica: Several teens have reported experiencing physical and psychological affects when they
were bullied through electronics such as cell phones and computers {Tokunaga, 2009}.
Jessica: Many victims of cyberbullying feel that it is no longer safe to attend school, and this
leads to unexcused absences and possible suspensions for the victim.
Jessica: This of course, can have a negative effect on the grades and overall performance of a
teen who is experiencing cyberbullying.
Jessica: Victims also report that they feel their home life suffering as well do to all of the stress
caused by cyberbullying {Tokunaga, 2009}.
Jessica: Teens have reported experiencing depression, anxiety, low self esteem, anger, and
hostility do to cyberbullying{Tokunaga,2009}.
Jessica: One such victim , was a 13-year old girl named Megan Meier, committed suicide
because of the extensive harassment she suffered from cyberbullying on a social networking
site{ABC News.2007}
Jessica: This is of course, an extreme case of cyberbullying, but many teens do face harassment
like Megan and may or may not choose the same path as her.
Jessica: The bottom line is that these adolescents will be negatively affected by cyberbullying if
it occurs, and its affects can be devastating to the victims and their families.
Jessica: As parents, it is up to us to make sure that we monitor what our children are being
exposed to and how it is affecting them.
Brittney: Hi everyone. I will discuss and present to you signs of cyber bullying in the victim, as
well as the bully.
Brittney: As presented earlier by Danieal, almost everyone in this room, some form of way or
the other, has been bullied by someone in life. It is important to remember that to stop cyber
bullying, or bullying of any kind, that you must reach and understand the victim as well as the
bully.
Brittney: According to Dr. Sameer Hinduja, and Dr. Justin W. Patchin of the Cyberbullying
Research Center, there are a lot of signals that may indicate your child is experiencing
cyberbullying. It is important for you to closely monitor their use of technology (computers and
cell phones) and note any behavior that seems out of the ordinary.
Brittney: If your teen or young adult usually enjoys interacting on the internet but then
suddenly shows disinterest, you should investigate. Or if they seem to be over consumed with
engaging in online activities, you should investigate. These could be tell-tell signs of a
cyberbullying or a cyber bully.
Brittney: Some signs that indicate that your teen may be a victim of cyberbullying is if he/ or
she…unexpectedly stops using the computer, appears nervous or jumpy when they receive a text
message, IM, or email, appears uneasy or afraid about going to school, appears angry, depressed,
or frustrated after using the computer, becomes withdrawn from family and friends, or have a
possible drop in their academics. This is just to name a few.
Brittney: Your child may be the cyber bully if he/ or she…quickly switches screens or closes it
when you walk by, uses the computer during all times of night, gets unusually upset when they
can not use the computer, laughs excessively when using the computer, or uses multiple online
accounts or accounts that are not their own.
Brittney: These signs too are just to name a few. Bullying of any sort is wrong, and no person
should be allowed to send or receive cruelty. As we know, cyber bullying has been the cause to
a number of suicides in teens and young adults. For instance, 15 year old Phoebe Prince of
Massachusetts; who took her own life after being repeatedly taunted via Facebook and text
messages by her peers.
Brittney: Cyberbullying is very detrimental in our society due to our advancements in
technology and growth in online social networks. Our technology can change our lives and our
children‟s lives for the good and also for the bad.
Brittney: We will now like to present to you a clip from a movie entitled “Odd Girl Out”. This
movie depicts a young teenage girl and her struggle with cyber, verbal, and psychological
bullying. The situations presented in this movie are some of the same signs that were listed as
signs of cyberbullying and how the teen and her mother reacted to them all. The clip was
presented as part of a human growth and development project by student Lea Eilers.
Brittney: *Play YouTube clip*
Keri: Okay now we have learned what cyberbullying is, the forms it comes in, the different ways
it impacts adolescents and the signs of cyberbullying. Now I am going to talk about what you
and your teen can do to prevent it.
Keri: You as parents can educate your children. Teach your children how to use the internet
safely and properly. Teach them netiquette, what is acceptable and what is not online, (Hinduja
& Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Set Internet rules and enforce them with your children. (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and
(NCPC, 2009) “Almost 80% of teens said that they either did not have parental rules about
internet use or found ways around the rules,” (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Keep your computers in open, high traffic areas of the home. Your children are less likely
to go on sites that you do not approve of if you can see what they are doing. Never keep
computers with internet access in closed off rooms like bedrooms, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009)
and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Develop and maintain an open dialogue with your children. If you have this dialogue
before things happen, then it is more likely your kids will share with you once something serious
or negative happens, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009). “Only 11% of teens talked
to parents about incidents of cyberbullying,” (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: If something negative does happen to them, do not blame them of take away their
privileges. This will lead to them being less open with you if they know telling gets them in
trouble, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Go online with your kids. Make it a fun time together. If you frequently do this then you
will know what sites they visit often, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Monitor your teen‟s electronic activity either formally or informally. There are software
programs you can purchase that can block or track sites and email you images of sites a
computer user visits. Just a warning though, in order to keep a good dialogue with your teens
share that you are monitoring them rather than just confronting them after with evidence. They
will only retreat from you and lose your trust. Any good relationship you did have may also be
severely damaged in the process, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Listed here are some of the online dos and don‟ts. Do block cyberbully‟s messages. Show
your kids how to block and delete messages without reading them. “Over 70% of teens said that
being able to block cyberbullies was the most effective method of prevention,” (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Do not seek revenge on cyberbullies. Do not respond to cyberbullies. Instead report them
to the Internet service provider you are using, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Do not share your personal information with anyone online. That includes your name,
phone numbers, addresses, your school, pictures, or credit card numbers. This is all information
others can use against you or find you with, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Keep your passwords and codes secret. Other people can use this information against you.
They may even pretend to be you, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Do not plan to meet with anyone face-to-face that you have only met online. That person
may not be who they say they are. Also do not open messages from people you do not know,
(Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Share with your teens that it is not their fault they are victims of cyberbullying. Do not
punish them by taking away technology or other privileges. This will just damage your open
dialogue with your teen, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Have victims of cyberbullying keep records of the incidents and tell an adult. This will
help provide the evidence needed to stop it from occurring, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and
(NCPC, 2009).
Keri: Do not send messages in anger. These messages can be mean and hurtful. This “don‟t”
will help stop you from becoming a cyberbully to others. Wait until you are calm before sending
any messages to people so you will not say things you would later regret, (Hinduja & Patchin,
2009) and (NCPC, 2009).
Keri: And finally do not believe everything you read, (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009) and (NCPC,
2009). It is the most obvious one but also the most necessary one. Not everything that is written
is the truth. You all have your own individual worth. Now Daniel will share some resources on
cyberbullying.
Danieal: There are many resources available for parents and teens and we have provided a
handout with a list of reliable information from several different agencies with their websites and
contact information.
Danieal: There are a few that I wanted to highlight that I think have some really beneficial
information.
A Thin Line located at www.athinline.org/ is a site geared toward teens and is sponsored by
MTV gives information on sexting, contestant messaging, spying, digital disrespect, and cruelty.
This site helps empower teens by giving them information on how they can get help and be a part
of the solution. It also gives them a chance to tell their story with other teens.
Stop Cyberbullying Now presented by the National Crime Prevention Council at
www.stopcyberbullying.org. Gives a vast about of information on how to identify weather your
child is a victim of cyberbullying and ways to handle if you are.
My Secure Cyberspace A free educational resource created by Carnegie Mellon University to
empower you to secure your part of cyberspace at www.mysecurecyberspace.com.
Cyberbullying Research Center at www.cyberbullying.us and has up-to-date information about
the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents. They have
been studying cyberbullying since 2002.
(Insert game and then closing remarks.)
Materials
1. A PowerPoint Presentation
2. Information Packets for Attendees
3. Internet Access
4. Plan Book
5. Evaluation
6. Assessment game
7. Post test
8. Refreshments
9. YouTube Clips
Activities
Resources
Cooley, A. H. (2009). A radical redefinition of liability for misrepresentation on internet social
networking sites: The perilous precedent of United States v. drew. Southern Law Journal,
19, 1-26.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. (2009). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: preventing and responding to
cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
National Crime Prevention Council. (2010). Stop cyberbullying before it starts. Retrieved from
http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/bullying/cyberbullying.
Evaluation
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Was the information presented helpful to you as a parent of adolescents?
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What did you like about this workshop?
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Power Point