Cyber+Bullying++An+ugly+picture

The story of James and Lana James and Lana are friends at BISJ. James tells Lana that he doesn’t want to hang out with her any more. Lana is angry and upset. She uploads a photo of James from her cell phone that was taken at a party two weeks earlier. Lana sends the photo to everyone on her facebook account with a message attached: "James is such an idiot ". Her friends start commenting negatively on her Facebook wall.


 * What’s the Problem?**

How do you think James felt?

What might the kids who received the e-mail think or do?

One day you like someone. The next day you don’t. Angry, you say something or post something online. It gets passed around quickly and easily. So now, everybody knows about it and everybody talks about it in school. While maybe you are mean only once, when you do it online your posting or message is repeated again and again as it gets passed around. AND...you can never retrieve it. What's uploaded online stays online!
 * Think About It **

When kids are intentionally and repeatedly mean to one another using cell phones or the Internet, it’s called cyberbullying. Sometimes kids can handle cyberbullying and not get too upset. Other times, it can make kids feel angry, frustrated, sad, or afraid.


 * Find Solutions **

What should James do? How would you advise him? Think about some ideas. Be part of the solution, be active and responsible.