Learn the truth about bullying in the 21st century: what to look for, and how to cope with the social problems facing today's kids.
Whether dealing with bullying issues or worrying that they might occur, parents are faced with more challenges than ever before. In the age of the internet and social media, traditional approaches to bullying haven’t kept pace with new realities, and new problems like cyberbullying have emerged. Parents searching for ways to prevent or cope with bullying are flooded by a deluge of advice, opinions, and strategies - often conflicting or, even worse, potentially harmful. 25 Myths about Bullying and Cyberbullying helps parents understand the causes and consequences of bullying, determine if something is truly a problem, and effectively deal with problems when they arise.
This practical guide enables parents to appreciate how modern digital environments impact a young person's communication and relationships, recognize the most prevalent types of psychological bullying and cyberbullying, and know when and how to intervene. The author dispels common myths related to the confronting of bullies, victims seeking revenge on bullies, keeping kids off their phones and computers to prevent cyberbullying, the links between bullying and suicide, and many others. Backed by the most recent work in bullying and cyberbullying research, this book helps parents:
- Understand what causes, prevents, and stops bullying and cyberbullying
- Tell the difference between bullying issues and normal ‘growing pains’
- Recognize the signs and effects of psychological bullying
- Know when intervening is helpful, and when it can be destructive
- Reduce social anxieties and the potential for bullying issues in children and young adults
25 Myths about Bullying and Cyberbullying is an important resource for parents of school-age children and young adults, as well as staff in educational environments.
Table of Contents
About the Author vii
Preface ix
Chapter 1 Why Talk About Myths Instead of Facts? 1
Chapter 2 Bullying is usually about a big kid beating up a smaller kid 11
Chapter 3 Bullying causes suicide and homicide 21
Chapter 4 Bullying is a normal part of childhood 31
Chapter 5 Kids who are small and physically weak are targeted for bullying 41
Chapter 6 The most important thing is what they did to you 51
Chapter 7 Cyberbullying is just like bullying, only on the computer 57
Chapter 8 Bullying and cyberbullying are separate problems 63
Chapter 9 Most adults cannot help kids with computer or Internet issues, since kids typically know more than they do 69
Chapter 10 Bullying and cyberbullying stop after high school 75
Chapter 11 Cyberbullying is usually anonymous 81
Chapter 12 Cyberbullying is the most emotionally devastating form of bullying 87
Chapter 13 Bullies have emotional problems 95
Chapter 14 All children all equally vulnerable to bullying 99
Chapter 15 Bullies are raised in dysfunctional families by parents who are bullies themselves 105
Chapter 16 Revenge is an effective way to handle bullies 111
Chapter 17 Bullies don’t understand how much they’re hurting the target 117
Chapter 18 Schools don’t do anything about bullying 123
Chapter 19 Schools can’t take any action in cyberbullying cases 129
Chapter 20 Schools could absolutely stop bullying if they wanted to 135
Chapter 21 When kids shake hands and make up, the bullying stops 141
Chapter 22 There’s no point in forcing kids to be nicer to each other, because they’ll just be mean again when the adults aren’t there 145
Chapter 23 If only kids would report to adults, the problem would be solved 151
Chapter 24 The best way to stop bullying is for bystanders to confront bullies and stop bullying episodes 155
Chapter 25 The best way to deal with cyberbullying is to keep kids off their phones and computers 159
Chapter 26 Just ignore them, and they’ll leave you alone. That’s the best strategy for dealing with bullies 163
Conclusion 171
Index 177
