I wrote this comment in response to another posting but I think it is important for me to elaborate. Being a mom of a 14 year old daughter, I feel technology has made my life more complicated. When I was growing up, the big concerns for my parents where whether I completed my homework and if I was safely at home. Once I was safely at home, my mom could sleep soundly. Today I have to check my daughter’s texts to make sure the content is appropriate, check her Facebook account to make sure she isn't posting inappropriate content or inappropriate content has not been posted about her and finally, check her email account. Just because my daughter is at home, it doesn't mean she is safe. Cyber-bullying can easily happen 24 hours a day, not just during school hours and it is exhausting.
Girls seek approval from boys by allowing them to text about sex and make comments about body parts. Before texting and emails, it took a lot of courage for a boy compliment a girl about her looks never mind being specific about body parts. Today, boys don’t think twice sending a girl a text informing her that he notices her nice butt or her chest. Hiding behind a phone or a computer has broadened the safety net of inappropriate behavior.
With the movement of smart phones in the classroom and other technologies, it has become more and more important for schools to teach students about boundaries, respecting privacy, cyber-bulling and the law. Today we have bullying laws that incorporate cyber-bullying. Too many students have been emotionally scared and have died because of cyber-bullying. I am glad to see more programs in schools dedicated to educating students; however, it is not enough. Programs need to be developed for parents who are not as technology savvy as myself.
Cybersmart has a free and well done curriculum dedicated to teaching students about the Online Images and Online Safety.
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