In GEMS we try to talk about the dangers of the Internet and how to protect ourselves. We always talk about the danger of trusting someone on the Internet and giving out too much information about ourselves. Recently there was a case where Lori Drew, a mom, posed as a young boy on MySpace to trick her daughter’s friend, Megan Meier. After the mom, acting as this young boy, said some very hurtful things to Megan Meier, she committed suicide.
If you are not familiar with this cyberbulling case please read about it. Post your thoughts about this case. Here are some questions to think about:
1.) Do you think that kids today take bullying on the Internet seriously? Why? Why not?
2.) How do you think adults can protect teenagers, like yourselves, from this kind of bullying?
3.) Do you think it was fair to convict Lori Drew? Why? Why not?
4.) Do you think parents need to be more aware of their teenager’s Internet use? Why? Why not?
9 responses so far ↓
1 Lauren Meek // Dec 12, 2008 at 8:05 am
As much as a teenager may think that she deserves privacy when going on the Internet to talk with her friends, I still think that parents need to take responsibility and monitor their teenager’s Internet use.
2 George Nemeth // Dec 12, 2008 at 9:02 am
Indeed, parents need to engage their kids re: their use of the internet. Girls need to know what their peers are doing as well, and protect each other!
3 Nancy Ball // Dec 13, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I think this case really highlights the need for personal responsibility whether one is a teenager or an adult. We’ve been taught that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” but that is so untrue. Our words can hurt. Hopefully, this tragic case will help us to remember that.
4 Bridget // Dec 17, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I think that cyber bullying is a major cause that is ruining many peoples lifes. I wish there was more we could do to stop it because even if people are told not to do it, they still do. I also think that parents should try and keep control of what their kids put out on the internet because they may be lied to by their kids about internet abuse.
Bridget
5 monica // Dec 17, 2008 at 7:09 pm
i think Lori Drew needs to be convicted. she may not have known that Megan would end up commiting suicide…but she did. i doubt if Lori did not insult Megan she would have never even thought about commiting suicide. I also think this case shows what can happen to kids who are not monitored on the internet and those who are not need to pay more attention to these things that are happening and hopefully learn from them
6 Lauren Meek // Dec 18, 2008 at 11:49 am
I could not agree more, Bridget & Monica! The Internet is an excellent place to learn about things, share ideas, and even have fun, but without proper monitoring it can become a terrible tool for bullying! Parents need to be smarter than their kids when it comes to Internet usage, if only to protect them!
7 Nancy Ball // Dec 21, 2008 at 11:12 am
Parents do need to monitor their children’s Internet use, but as a parent of now-grown children, I realize that is not always possible for parents to protect their children. Children need to hear the message of using the Internet responsibly from their parents, schools, and maybe most importantly, modern culture. This way they can make important decisions when their parents aren’t around to guide them.
8 Taking Control of Cyberbullying | GEMS: Girls Educated and Motivated to Succeed // Dec 26, 2008 at 6:38 pm
[...] case of cyberbuylling; this time it was in Missouri and it was through text messaging. On our December Discussion blog many of you agreed that parents needed to monitor and be aware of their child’s Internet [...]
9 Rachel W. // Jan 5, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I was watching the news and she did finally get convicted. I do agree that cyber bullying is a real problem! I LOVE GEMS!!!
Rachel
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