Cyber+Bullying+-+Possible+Solutions+and+Strategies

 Education can help considerably in preventing and dealing with the consequences of cyber-bullying. The first place to begin an education campaign is with the kids and teens themselves. Adolescents need to know how to avoid becoming a cyber bully, how to be accountable for their actions and not to stand by and allow bullying (in any form) to be acceptable. Teaching teens to “Take 5!” before responding to something they encounter online is a good place to start. An effort should be made to calm the victim down, so thoughts and actions remain rational. This may include doing yoga, or deep-breathing as well as running, playing catch or shooting hoops. It may involve taking a bath or talking on the phone with trustworthy friends and family. Victims should a find a way that is comfortable and effective for them. If they do, they will often not become a cyber bully in return. Teaching them the consequences of their actions (or soon to be), often prevents cyber bullying also, as adolescents often don’t realise that in some cases of cyber-bullying, the police force can actually become involved. It must also be recognised that few cyber bullying campaigns can succeed without the self-satisfaction and the often help of other kids. If we can help kids understand how much bullying hurts, fewer may cooperate with the cyber bullies. They will think twice before participating in hurtful cyber behaviour. Teens need to be taught not to stand silently by while others are being tormented. In addition to not lending their efforts to continue the cyber bullying, if given an anonymous method of reporting cyber bullying Web sites, profiles and campaigns, teens can help put an end to cyber bullying entirely. School administration, community groups and even school policing staff can receive these anonymous tips and take action quickly when necessary to shut down the site, profile or stop the cyber bullying itself. They can even let others know that they won’t allow cyber bullying, supporting the victim, making it clear that they won’t be used to torment others and that they care about the feelings of others is key.  **“…in the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”** - Martin Luther King, Jr. _ http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/take_action/take_a_stand_against_cyberbullying.html []
 * POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES **