• Bullying/Cyber-Bullying
     
    Prevent Cyberbullying

    Parents and kids can prevent cyberbullying. Together, they can explore safe ways to use technology.

     
    ·         Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online
     
    ·         Establish Rules about Technology Use
     
    ·         Understand School Rules

     

     
     
    Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online
     
    Talk with your kids about cyberbullying and other online issues regularly. Know the sites your kids visit (ie. facebook, twitter, kik, etc.) and their online activities. Ask where they’re going, what they’re doing, and who they’re doing it with.
     

    ·         Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may review their online communications if you think there is reason for concern. Installing parental control filtering software or monitoring programs are one option for monitoring your child’s online behavior, but do not rely solely on these tools.

    ·         Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use.

    ·         Ask for their passwords, but tell them you’ll only use them in case of emergency.

    ·         Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so.

    ·         Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.

     
     

     

    Establish Rules about Technology Use

     

    Establish rules about appropriate use of computers, cell phones, and other technology. For example, be clear about what sites they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they’re online. Show them how to be safe online.

    Help them be smart about what they post or say. Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or others. Once something is posted, it is out of their control whether someone else will forward it.

    Encourage kids to think about whom they want to see the information and pictures they post online. Should complete strangers see it? Real friends only? Friends of friends? Think about how people who aren’t friends could use it.

    Tell kids to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends. Sharing passwords can compromise their control over their online identities and activities.

    Understand School Rules

    Some schools have developed policies on uses of technology that may affect the child’s online behavior in and out of the classroom. Ask the school if they have developed a policy.

     
     
    Bullying Incident Report
     
    The Bullying Incident Report form is provided for you to inform us about any situation or problem that you are having or know information about anybody being bullied or harassed. This can apply to you as a victim or an incident that you have witnessed. Your information is anonymous and will be seen only by our two high school police resource officers and principals. These situations can occur in school or out of school. Please provide as much information as you can so that the problem can be addressed directly. Click on the link below to go to the form.

    F    alse reporting of an incident is against state law and school policy

    Section 240.50 of the New York State Penal Law states: A person is guilty of falsely reporting an incident when, knowing the information reported, conveyed or circulated to be false or baseless, he/she initiates a false report or warning of an alleged occurrence or impending occurrence of a crime, catastrophe or emergency under circumstances in which it is not unlikely that public alarm or inconvenience will result. This is a Class A Misdemeanor
Last Modified on August 7, 2013