As Cyberbullying Moral Panics Heat Up, Actual Rates Of Cyberbullying Decreasing
from the details,-details dept
If you hadn't noticed, there's been a growing moral panic around the concept of "cyberbullying", with various states passing laws against it and Congress even considering it as well. And, of course, if you read stories in the news these days, you might think that cyberbullying is happening everywhere and that It Must Be Stopped at all costs To Protect The Children.However, as Larry Magid is pointing out, actual studies on the issue show that so-called "cyberbullying" is on the decline and most kids are good kids who are as disgusted with the concept as adults. In fact, some research suggests that all of the stories about this "cyberbullying" threat may actually make the problem worse. That's because kids are more likely to engage in the practice if they think it's common. And, even though it's not common today, all the press reports may spread the idea that it is. In the end, as Magid points out, as with other moral panics, the real solution tends to be parental education -- not misguided laws.
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Filed Under: cyberbullying, laws, moral panic
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Which reminds me, it came to my attention that TBI has announced it will stop its racket: http://tinyurl.com/yd8p8ww
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Not the right link
Your link talks about the danger from sexual predators it does not suggest that cyberbullying is on the decline.
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Moral Panics
Ugh.
The idea of cyberbullying is kind of funny though. Not as an actual law mind you. But, any user could simply stop responding to, or block any given "cyber bully". Just amusing.
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Could it be that the laws that are being enacted around the country might actually be partly responsible for the decrease in cyberbullying? While most kids are good kids, most adults are good adults -- but I'm not going to leave the keys in my car. However if they get left there by accident, it's still a crime to steal the car. Don't blame the victim (or the messenger) for someone who breaks the law or seeks to harm another.
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TAM's mom
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Decrease in cyberbullying?
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Facebook hell
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Cyberbullying
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If someone starts harassing, block them. It's not like in a playground setting where a child would be approached by a bully and couldn't get away.
Best way to stop cyber-bullying would be to teach kids how to block people they don't like...IE be more knowledgeable about the internet in general.
So perhaps better internet lessons should be given to kids instead of panicking about cyber-bullying.
Or perhaps I just don't fully understand the issue *shrugs*
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Thanks
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Timely article
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