Parents and Kids

Cyberbullying has many names:  "electronic bullying," "online bullying," "mobile bullying," or "Internet bullying."  Whatever you call it, cyberbullying is a form of harassment and is sometimes an actual crime. It can take place through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, text messages, Web sites, mobile phones, online games blogs -- to name a few. There are things kids, parents, teachers can do to prevent cyberbullying or deal with it when it happens. And there are times the police should be called in to help.

Westchester County takes cyberbullying seriously. On June 2, in its continuing effort to help parents, schools and police deal with the problem of cyberbullying, Westchester County is co-sponsoring a free conference at the Westchester County Center.  The session is part of a two-day “International Stop Cyberbullying Conference” put together by Parry Aftab, an expert on the subject of Internet safety.

Pre-registration for the White Plains event is required. To register, go to www.wiredsafety.org. The general session will begin at 10:45 a.m. with remarks by Aftab and end at 5 p.m. Throughout the day, there will be panels of experts, victims of cyberbullying and presentations on cyberbullying research.

Our cyberbullying video highlights the uneasiness students feel when they are personally harassed. In 2006, County Executive Andy Spano and District Attorney Janet DiFiore hosted a county summit on Internet Safety.  Parry Aftab,  a nationally known expert on cyber safety, led the discussion and  assisted the county in putting together the information about cyberbullying on this site. You can download the handouts: 

Is Your Child a Potential Victim?

Social Networking Excerpt

WiredSafety Parenting Online