Emerging Problems in Younger Generations

Sexting and Cyberbullying

Sexting and Cyberbullying are obviously very quickly emerging problems in the younger society. Based on Dr. Worley's presentation and the comments of other students at the workshop, I can clearly see how wide-scale this problem is beginning to become. Something must be done to stop these incidents from happening so frequently. I agree with Dr. Worley that the answer relies not in punishment but in education and positive reinforcement.

SEXTING
After hearing that a group of third graders ( :o ) was involved in sexting, my mind was blown away. I do not believe a third grader should even have access to a phone, much worse texting too. Parents need to realize that a child at the age of eight is not mature enough to have that much free reign. While I believe I have always been somewhat mature for my age, I still agree that waiting until I was 13 to get a cell phone was a good choice on the part of my parents. Even 13 may be too young depending on the maturity of the child. Parents must learn to be able to judge the maturity of the child and monitor them if needed.

So what can the schools do?
In my opinion, the schools cannot much help with the sexting problem because sex is a sensitive topic that probably should not be talked about in elementary schools. This could be taught in a high school health class possibly. The consequences of sexting should be assertively mentioned to students, and they should be urged not to participate in such activities. Teachers could mention the legal consequences as well as the social/emotional consequences that may emerge if a picture is sent/shown to an unattended person.

If a child in elementary school is caught engaging in sexting, the phone should be confiscated. The parents should then be notified. A meeting should be set up with both an administration member and a counselor where the parent an child will both attend. All consequences will be discussed on a level the child can understand. In addition, phones should not be allowed to be used anytime at the school, especially at this age.

CYBERBULLYING
In my opinion, cyberbullying is a topic much easier to address at the younger ages. Parents can place the computer in a busier room in the house such as the living room where the child can easily be monitored. Depending on the age of the child, parents should set a certain limit of computer time per day or week. If any type of distress from the child is shown, a parent should address the issue immediately. Parents, having children at younger ages, should have online friends monitored closely. This could be more difficult as children reach the preteen and teen years. Again, depending on the child's maturity, monitoring can then be minimal.

So what can the schools do?
I think that the issue of cyberbullying can easily be addressed by the schools. At the beginning of each year, students and parents can be educated about cyberbullying. This can be incorporated in the computer lab classes. Internet etiquette can be stressed on how to treat others while online and how the child should not be treated. Teachers will give the students solutions on how to go to a parent, teacher, or administrator if they are being bullied or observe another child being bullied. Students will be encouraged to be friends with everyone and not to discriminate if another child is different than them. Parents will be invited to a free workshop on how to notice and monitor if their child is being cyberbullied or if their child is the one bullying. If bullying is observed at school, the parents of both students should be immediately notified. If parents observe cyberbullying, the school should be notified of the bully's name. Parents and students will then have to sign a form after the workshop saying there is zero-tolerance for bullying and cyberbullying.