Comments on: Harassed or bullied online? Hit the panic button! http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/11/harassed-or-bullied-online-hit-the-panic-button.html Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:27:17 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Simon Cohen http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/11/harassed-or-bullied-online-hit-the-panic-button.html/comment-page-1#comment-24598 Simon Cohen Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:46:56 +0000 http://www.sync-blog.com/?p=5326#comment-24598 The panic button sounds like a good idea in theory, but much like other tools that are backed by the right intentions, it's how they are used in practice that will make all the difference. I don't think that turning off the computer is an effective way to deal with online bullying, in much the same way that I don't think staying at home is a good way to deal with real-world bullying. Children have the right to participate in any online forum without the threat of being attacked by a bully. If this widget gives them an effective way to flag the bully to the right authorities, I see it as a logical extension of the zero-tolerance approach most schools are now taking: a complete about-face from the attitude of even 10 years ago, when "telling" was frowned upon and even punished. It's a different world, with different problems, and we clearly need different solutions :) The panic button sounds like a good idea in theory, but much like other tools that are backed by the right intentions, it’s how they are used in practice that will make all the difference. I don’t think that turning off the computer is an effective way to deal with online bullying, in much the same way that I don’t think staying at home is a good way to deal with real-world bullying. Children have the right to participate in any online forum without the threat of being attacked by a bully. If this widget gives them an effective way to flag the bully to the right authorities, I see it as a logical extension of the zero-tolerance approach most schools are now taking: a complete about-face from the attitude of even 10 years ago, when “telling” was frowned upon and even punished. It’s a different world, with different problems, and we clearly need different solutions :)

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]]> By: john hinton http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2009/11/harassed-or-bullied-online-hit-the-panic-button.html/comment-page-1#comment-24593 john hinton Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:41:16 +0000 http://www.sync-blog.com/?p=5326#comment-24593 November 29, 2009 I am a single parent of a boy and a girl and a family law lawyer. My experience in law and in life tells me that children "need" their web connections too much to just turn off their computer, they also clearly need someone in authority who would seem to care, to support and assist them and that might also track down, identify and more, the predatory persons and bullies who hide behind their cyber space covers to ambush and attack defenceless persons. This "authority" might also be the very necessary "learning/teaching" resource that they need to help them develop identities that will protect them and others they may come into contact with and to limit the power of cyberspace and real time bullies and predators. It is not only an important defence and protection but a starting place for so much more. November 29, 2009

I am a single parent of a boy and a girl and a family law lawyer. My experience in law and in life tells me that children “need” their web connections too much to just turn off their computer, they also clearly need someone in authority who would seem to care, to support and assist them and that might also track down, identify and more, the predatory persons and bullies who hide behind their cyber space covers to ambush and attack defenceless persons. This “authority” might also be the very necessary “learning/teaching” resource that they need to help them develop identities that will protect them and others they may come into contact with and to limit the power of cyberspace and real time bullies and predators. It is not only an important defence and protection but a starting place for so much more.

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