Article F

Lisante, J (2005). Spark Action “Cyber Bullying: No Muscles Needed”. Retrieved Nov 1, 2010 from,

                http://sparkaction.org/content/cyber-bullying-no-muscles-needed

I read the article, “Cyber bullying: No Muscles Needed” by Joan E. Lisante.  She talks about what cyber bullying is, how it affects schools, and how to prevent cyber bullying.  She started off by telling a story.  It was about a seventh grader named Chad.  His ex-girlfriend was dissing his new one and Chad got mad.  He went online and told his friends that he was going to kill his ex.  Some of his friends were actually scared and told their parents.  Those parents told the school and the school told the police.  Chad was forced to go to a different middle school.

Cyber bullying can happen anywhere at any time to anyone.  It’s has become a pretty big deal, especially in the schools.  Students abuse the internet and use it to harm others verbally and sometimes visually.  Students’ cyber bully by talk bad about someone to friends online, posting negative polls, and posting pictures.  The victims of such abuse find out and don’t want to show themselves again because they’re scared and embarrassed.

Today, people are trying to put an end to cyber bullying.  Washington state has sponsored a bill to crack down on cyber bullying.  The internet itself is taking measures in trying to prevent cyber bullying.  Websites can sense inappropriate texts and not allow it.  Some programs require parent verification so that the parents stay more involved in what their child is doing online.  Parents and schools together are trying to spread awareness.  Schools are having cyber police come in and talk about the effects and consequences cyber bullying has in store.  As much as cyber bullying is out there, the notion to put an end to cyber bullying is just as great.  Thus prevention shouldn’t be too hard to achieve.