News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

In an article that appeared in the Dec. 3 edition of The Oregonian, parenting writer Marjie Braun Knudsen advised fellow parents to use an easily remembered acronym to help teach their children how to behave -- and stay safe -- online:

As parents we talk a lot about cyber-safety. So many stories have surfaced about the serious consequences of bullying and harassment from social media. We worry about our kids and teens being bullied online. Where is the social media etiquette? ...

What it comes down to is teaching, and even more important, modeling, simple playground rules. Use the word WISDOM to help kids remember.

• When someone is hurt, help them.
• If in danger, get help.
• Safe sites only.
• Dont post without permission.
• Only friends, no strangers.
• Make amends

Labels: parenting tips, cyberbulling, online_safety

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Parents underestimate how much time their teenagers spend on social network websites. They also underestimate how often their teens engage in risky behaviors, such as bullying and posting semi-nude photos of themselves.

Researchers from Common Sense Media surveyed 1,013 teenagers and 1,002 parents. Highlights of the study's findings include the following:

• Twenty-eight percent of the teenagers said they had post personal information on their websites, but only 16 percent of parents believe their children did that.
• Some 37 percent of teenagers said they make fun of other students online, but only 18 percent of parents believe their children did that.
• 
  As for naked or semi naked pictures and videos, 13 percent of teenagers said they had posted them; however, only two percent of parents thought their teens had done that.

A spokesperson for Common Sense Media advised parents to remind teenagers that everything they post can be seen by a vast audience, and that postings online may last forever.

Labels: internet, cyberbulling, online_safety, sexting

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Cyberbullying is not a new phrase to many parents. But a recent story from Washington State puts it back in the spotlight. A Web site invites teens to anonymously post gossip about anyone they'd like - and name names - whether the gossip is true or not.

"This recent example presents a teachable moment, however, that educators, students leaders and parents should seize. For many families, it's a two-way opportunity. Parents may have as much to learn about the various ways their children are communicating these days as they can teach about doing so responsibly."

Cyberbullying is a growing problem that occurs not only on "gossip sites" but also in personal blogs, e-mails, instant messages, and even cell phone text messages. With so many different forms of communication available, parents have the tough job of teaching their kids how to use them all respectfully and responsibly. Read more at HeraldNet.com.

Labels: internet, cyberbulling, online_safety

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Cyber-bullying and cyber cruelty are prevalent on social networking and blog sites. The News Courier in Athens, Alabama recently ran a story about a young girl who received cruel and perverted comments on a memorial video she posted on YouTube to honor a friend who had died.

"'There's the perception when we post something online we're invisible, no one can see us,' she said. 'When you're invisible, you can engage in activity that might cause harm but the perception is that no one in authority knows who you are. It removes fear of detection. It makes them oblivious to the potential harmful impact on those who lost a teenager. They have no remorse because they're distanced from any concept of what harm they're actually causing.'"

Nancy Willard, executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, and others remind parents that monitoring of a child's online activity is important not only for the child's safety but for the safety of others with whom he or she may be interacting. Read more at TahlequahDailyPress.com.

Read Cyber-Bullies: What You Need to Know to learn more.

Labels: internet, cyberbulling, online_safety

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The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia recently sponsored a program called "Trickery, Trolling and Threats: Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying." The focus was on not only identifying cyberbullying, but giving parents and young people ideas and tools to use in response.

"Cyberbullying is defined as 'willful and repeated harm through electronic media,' explained [Randi] Boyette, assistant regional director for the ADL in Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. 'The impact is not one incident, the impact is magnified' because of the immediate and widespread nature of e-mail and mobile phones."

Cyberbullying often goes unreported because young people don't want to have computers and phones taken away or be forced to delete accounts from on-line social networking sites like MySpace. Recent studies have also shown that, though boys have traditionally been more likely to be bullies, there are increasing incidents of girls bullying each other. Read more at JewishExponent.com.

Learn more ways to help your troubled teen by reading our articles for parents of troubled teens. Find more articles about bullying and other issues today's teens face.

Labels: teens, cyberbulling, cell_phones, email

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