Ridgewood Schools Recognize that Cyberbullying is an Epidemic that Needs to be Addressed
See the video below about the cyberbullying related suicide of Megan Meir. It will help you understand how truly serious this issue is. In fact, during the program Ridgewood Parents will be asked to take the Megan Pledge.
This event will take place at Ridgewood High School Campus on December 11th at 7pm. The program will be sponsored by Ridgewood's George Washington Middle School.
What is Cyberbullying and why should Ridgewood Residents Care?
Cyber-Bullying is defined as situation where a student uses information and communication technologies such as email, cell phone and pager text messaging, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites and defamatory online personal polling Web sites to harass, humiliate, intimidate and/or threaten other students on the Internet.
The Presentation to Ridgewood Parents will be made by WiredSafety's Executive Director
Parry Aftab an Internet privacy and security lawyer as well as WiredSafety's Executive Director. WiredSafety is the world's largest Internet Safety and help group. Parry has spoken to thousands of students and parents and knows the hot topic issues and explains them in "parent speak".
Parry Aftab will offer Ridgewood parents practical and workable ways to balance their parental responsibilities and create sensible guidelines for their Ridgewood Students.
Here are some of the topics that will be covered:
What steps can Ridgewood parents take to prevent their children from becoming victims of cyberbullying? (pro-active approach)
If they become victims, what can Ridgewood Students and parents do, where can parents go for help and when do they bring it to the attention of Ridgewood school administrators or the Ridgwood Police?
What to do if you discover that your child is a Cyberbully?
Most victims of CyberBullying are so affected by the threats and harassment that they keep quiet and never report it to their parents, teachers or friends. It is important that victims realize that trusted adults are here to fight this new form of bullying.
For more information please visit the WiredSafety site or email Mary Lou Handy at
11 Comments on Ridgewood NJ to Host Program on Cyberbullying - Speaker Asks Ridgewood Parents to Take the Megan Pledge
NOV
25
2008
Aloysius - One of the inevitable drawbacks of technology. I'm glad Ridgewood High School is trying to nip it in the bud now, preventive measures tend to work best. Have a great Thanksgiving.
Jason - Thanks for your note. This is pretty scary stuff - especially the part about parents being involved. Everyone thinks it can't happen here but it can happen in Ridgewood or PA just as easily as it did in St. Louis.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
-Al
Al- Makes you glad you're not a teenager these days, huh? Harrassment, humiliation, and intimidation is already horrible enough without a gazillion forms of instantaneous communication leaving a permanent record.
Good for you to post it. You can't be too careful about your children and the internet. The computer in our house stays right in plain view and is monitored.
As for this specific story, parents should know better than to try and bait a teenager...where is the common sense in those neighbors?
My daughter participated in this program --- starting in 8th grade --- at Mahwah. Parry does an exellent job. And, in conjunction with our DARE officers on site at the middle school...we are working to keep our kids safe. Good LUCK and hopefully Ridgewood will enjoy as much success as MAHWAH has with the program.
I'm glad that schools are finally standing up and doing something about this issue! It's taken awhile for them to realize that this is such a big issue with todays teens and preteens.
Rebecca - It is a crazy story. Can't believe parents would be part of the problem. Good idea about the computer. My oldest is in 3rd grade and his PC is in his room. Probably time to move it into a common area of the house. Thanks for the reminder.
Pamela - There you go, bragging about how Mahwah is better than Ridgewood. Just kidding. Seriously, sounds like Mahwah really has its act together on this. Nice job.
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Aloysius - One of the inevitable drawbacks of technology. I'm glad Ridgewood High School is trying to nip it in the bud now, preventive measures tend to work best. Have a great Thanksgiving.