It’s Back to School time and HotChalk is committed to making life easier for educators. Through the end of September, we’ll post practical tips you can put to use right away. Feel free to copy them for professional development sessions or post on your school or classroom homepage (with attribution, please, to HotChalk).

Susan McLester
Editor in Chief, HotChalk.com

Ten Ways to Help Prevent Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the practice of posting or sending harmful images or text via the Internet or other digital communication tools, such as cell phones, email, instant messaging, chat rooms, video game spaces or social networking environments such as My Space and Facebook. Following are some tips for parents and educators to help keep kids safe.

1. Tell students to never pass along harmful or cruel messages or images.
2. Train students to delete suspicious email messages without opening them.
3. Ask students to step up to friends who are cyberbullying and tell them to stop.
4. Teach students how to use technology to block communication with cyberbullies.
5. Speak to students about the importance of telling a parent or adult about any cyberbullying they’re witness to.
6. At home, supervise your child’s time online. Putting the computer in a common area, such as the kitchen, is a good idea.
7. Addressing cyberbullying school-wide is key -- help institute a formal policy for dealing with any cyberbullying instances. Be sure students fully understand the consequences. For some guidelines on crafting a program, visit HotChalk.com and see Preventing Cyberbullying: A Conversation with Mike Donlin.
8. Create a community outreach program to educate those beyond the school walls to the dangers of cyberbullying. Have students work with the Chamber of Commerce or other civic group to create an awareness campaign.
9. Teach students the basics of smart and savvy Web behavior, such as never revealing passwords or real last names.
10. Pay attention. If you notice a student is withdrawn, depressed or reluctant to attend school or social events, investigate.

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