Four hundred Australian children (9 to 16 years old) and their parents, were interviewed for an Australian study about risks and safety for children on the internet. And by comparing the results of this survey with a larger European survey, it was found that Australian children are among the “youngest and most prolific users of the internet in the world.” ...The following risks were identified in both the Australian Report and the European study by EU Kids Online ... Read full article
A 12 year old girl shoots herself singing Beautiful, and before that, messages from kids about being bullied. Her voice is angelic - enjoy! Read full article
Earlier this year, very disturbing video was shown of a boy being buWnatllied in an Australian school - the boy fought back - the video was shown all around the world. In a new and powerful video, children in the United States talk about their reactions to this video, how they feel about bullying, what they think adults should do about it. The end of the video sent shivers down my spine - listening to what these children would say to a bully if they could. Read full article
A powerful short video by a young teenage boy about the effect of bullying online - especially via the leaving of comments on blogs, YouTube and Facebook. Ideal to show to teenagers and share on Facebook. Read full article
On the day we went to Sea World our girl Ivy was tired.
We all were.
As we walked into the park two girls pushed past us hurriedly and into the bathroom, which is where we were headed to. We took our place right behind them. It would have been fine except that those two little girls then turned around and made loud comments about Ivy’s "fat" face and her "fat" cheeks and her "squishy eyes" (whatever those are anyway). Then they proceeded to whisper and look back at Ivy in that hateful little girl way that makes me want to stab something ... Read full article
Developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority's Cybersmart program, Tagged is a short film for teenagers that encourages students to discuss the core ethical obligations of going online. It explores issues like the widespread impact of cyberbullying, how internet users can manage their digital reputation and how online interactions may have real-life consequences. Read full article
NSW school teachers talk on video about what parents can do if their child is being bullied at school. Signs to look out for and how to communicate with the school. Every school in NSW has an anti bullying policy. Ask to see your child's school's policy. Read full article
With thanks to Bullybust for the heads up on this excellent 2 minute video from the "What's Your Story?" Contest run by Trend Micro Inc - a contest that empowers youth to be leaders in educating others about cyberbullying and being safe online. This video was the Grand Prize winner. Teenagers might enjoy sharing this on Facebook. Read full article
On Channel 7 The Morning Show Yvette Vignando, Brett Murray and Sally Ann McCormack spoke with the hosts about the apparent hero status given to the victim of a dreadful bullying incident in a Sydney school. What should parents do in these circumstances? Read full article
As I mentioned in this earlier post 'Messages to Bullies - Forgiven not Forgotten", on 14 March I sent out interviews to a number of adults who offered to share their stories of being bullied as children. Having still not had the time to compile their responses into a coherent article, I keep wanting to publish parts of their stories because it seems the right time for their voices to be heard. Read full article
