Guide to Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is threatening, lying about, stalking or otherwise harassing a person online or via other electronic communication devices like a cell phone. It is becoming a bigger problem as more and more people spend time on the Internet. There are a number of behaviors that are considered cyberbullying, including:

• Sending harassing messages
• Impersonating another person and gaining trust
• Posting someone elses’ personal information
• Posting false or unsavory information about another person
• Posting private or doctored pictures about another person
• Using the Internet to encourage others to bully the victim

Why is Cyberbullying So Serious?

It may seem like cyberbullying is a trivial matter. Even if you believe that in-person bullying is a problem, it might seem like there is little damage that can be done online. This is far from the truth, however. Cyberbullying can be even more dangerous than in-person incidents:

• It can be more difficult to stop an online bully
• Emotional violence can be more damaging than physical violence
• Cyberbullying can have long term effects as gossip, lies, photos and videos stay long after bruises fade.
• Cyberbullying follows people into the home, which would normally be considered a safe haven from this type of activity.
• It is easy to impersonate another person online, gain someone’s trust and then turn on them.

Why is Cyberbullying So Difficult to Stop?

• Traditional bullies might be suspended from school, banned from certain places or activities or even arrested, but cyberbullies are more elusive.
• The anonymity of the Internet makes it difficult to be sure who is doing the bullying
• The anonymity of the Internet makes cyberbullies, especially kids, bolder.
• Cyberbullying can cross state and even international lines, making it nearly impossible to prosecute.
• Cyberbullies may think they can’t be caught or punished.
• Others may trivialize the damage the cyberbully is doing.

Source: http://familyinternet.about.com/od/computingsafetyprivacy/a/cyberbully.htm

10 Ways to Protect Your Children from Cyberbullying
http://familyinternet.about.com/od/computingsafetyprivacy/tp/stop_cyberbullies.htm

Learn about online bullying
http://www.microsoft.com/canada/home/safety-and-security/articles/learn-about-online-bullying.aspx

Make Your Child Bully Proof
http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/bullying/a/bullyproof.htm

Shared PCs Spread Germs

Source: http://infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4734487.cms
4 Jul, 2009, 1756 hrs IST,PTI

LONDON: You may have no other option than to use shared computers in your office or at an Internet cafe, but a new study has revealed that these terminals are breeding grounds for germs.

Researchers have found that shared computers are hot beds for bacteria and hot-desking in the office can even cause workers to become ill -- in fact, shared keyboards may contain five times the number of microorganisms as those used by one.

Lead author Enzo Palombo was quoted by leading British newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph' as saying: "High use, multiple user Internet cafes and computer labs are potential hot spots for harbouring microorganisms."

The researchers have based their findings after an analysis on computers -- in tests, almost half of keyboards harboured the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus which, although usually harmless when it is on the skin, can lead to serious infections if it enters the body. Swabs showed it was present on only one-fifth of single-use keyboards, they said.

According to the researchers warn that the risk of infection was high if the equipment was not thoroughly cleaned. Given that computers are not routinely disinfected, the potential for transmitting disease is great.

"Organisations need to be more rigorous in keeping shared equipment clean. Keyboards and other hand contact areas such as a computer mouse should be regularly cleaned and disinfected, especially for multiple-user workstations," Prof Palombo of Swinburne University of Technology said.

1st Blog

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