Monthly Archives: April 2011

With the good there’s always bad.I mention this because, social networks are intended to bring numerous social networks and communities together to share commonalities; however, most of the time these sites are misused.In this article, two teens created a false Facebook account and used it against a fellow classmate.

The victim’s father felt it was best for the teens to attend pretrial diversion programs.This program assists teens understand the harm and consequences of their actions, and punishment is assigned to them.

The girls said they targeted the victim because “nobody liked her.”Which is often times the main reason to be targeted.In addition to boost the opponents self esteem.

In this article teens are warned of websites that may affect them, mentally.It mentions a site called Formspring, which gives users the opportunity to ask fellow users questions, anonymously.According to parenting expert Michele Borba,

“Formspring is one of the new kinds of websites that looks like a social network that is popping up online for our daughters. It looks tame enough…but once they log on, what it actually encourages instead is to send vicious notes toward one another in an anonymous nature,” said Borba.

However, as I learned in another sociology course, as we use the streets of any city we cannot blame the street for misuse.We can blame the individuals who use it incorrectly.I feel this is the same for users of the internet.After Borba’s statement I feel she is trying to blame the website for the content which is visible to users.However, we must keep in mind these comments written by users can be positive, not only negative.

In addition to cyber-bullying, teens are bombarded with other types of information while using the web.For example,other sites that promote unhealthy lifestyles.The article gives it opinion on what should be done.Read below.

So how do parents keep their teens off these websites? Our experts offer this advice:

First, invest in parental control software; monitor your teen’s online history; do Google searches on their full names to see if anything comes up; and limit their time online.

“You need to step up to the plate. You need to monitor because we’re raising our children in a tough world,” said Borba.

Since we are adapting to technology and educational institutions use the internet in classroom settings and for take home assignments(for any subjects)would this be the solution to cyber-bullying for teen girls?Or is it important to know the factors behind the situation from both parties?