Internet Bullying - Beyond The Playground

While the Internet is an important resource for students, it can also be used as a forum for cruel humor. Some students are using the Internet to vent their opinions about other students. These messages are usually unkind and are commonly referred to as cybersmears, and those pitching them are known as cyberbullies.

Cyberbullies use blogs, instant messages and email among other electronic means to “diss” others. Or they may choose a more public forum; for example, ratemyteachers.com or ratemyprofessors.com. These are web sites, also known as dissing sites, where online visitors deliberately post unkind and even untrue information about others.

In any forum, cyberbullying is offensive and can be very harmful to impressionable youth. Click here for a parents guide on cyberbullying created by the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet use.