March 31, 2011

Cyber-bullying is a product of our wired world and has not been studied as much as traditional schoolyard bullying. Many children report being bullied via the internet or cell phone and the effects can be devastating. Children also report that bullies spread rumors and say other mean things about them online where many different people can see it. The potential audience for cyber-bullying is unlimited making it even more appealing to bullies. Bullies will also threaten their victims online and belittle them for their own amusement.
 
Girls are twice as likely as boys to be cyber-bullies as well as be targeted by cyber-bullies. Normally boys are the most likely children to bully others but this is not true with cyber-bullying. Boys tend to physically bully others while girls use emotional methods, which can be perfectly carried out over the computer. Cyber-bullying also can be anonymous and many children who are the victims of cyber-bullying never know who was bullying them.
 
Cyber-bullying is not restricted to school either, it can happen anywhere children have access to computers or cell phones. Bullying used to be confined to school, but with cyber-bullying can now reach children anywhere. Cyber-bullying commonly occurs in IM's and in chat rooms. Cyber-bullying can also occur in blogs and on websites when a bully posts damaging things about their victim. The internet makes bullying easy and bullies can torment victims in new ways. Using the internet gives cyber-bullies an even more devious way to humiliate others than traditional bullying.
 
About half of pre-teens tell an adult about their experiences with cyber-bullying and this number drops as children get older. Cyber-bullying also makes it easier for the victim to retaliate against the bully as they can just as easily post their own damaging responses. This ease of use makes perpetuating the bullying cycle more common. This is not necessarily the best idea, as it will probably make the bullying worse and only reinforce the idea that bullying is ok. Cyber-bullying can affect anyone and the same stereotypes that apply to traditional bullying do not apply to cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullies can pick on anyone, even those more confident and popular than themselves. Cyber-bullies can even pick on children older and bigger than them because of the anonymous nature of the internet. If a cyber bully wants to hurt another person, the internet gives them the perfect vehicle to do so.
 
Parents must take steps to stop and prevent cyber-bullying just like other types of bullying. Any form of bullying can have serious consequences and cyber-bullying can be particularly dangerous because it can reach so many people and be so humiliating. Take cyber-bullying seriously so that your child does not fall victim, or bully others. Make your child aware that cyber-bullying is unacceptable and if they are the target they should tell an adult right away. Taking action quickly is the best way to stop cyber-bullying before it gets out of hand.

Source: Articlesbase

March 15, 2011

You don't have to look very far to see image after image of flawless, statuesque, unblemished, and usually very skinny women wearing the hottest trends in clothes, shoes and hair accessories. They're plastered all over the magazines. This may seem harmless, but did you know that these images of can be very powerful in influencing your daughter's self-image?

A lot of magazines, particularly the ones made for teenagers, are filled with features about how to look good and about what society generally accepts as "beautiful." Three things about these magazines can affect young girls' body image:

• Articles on appearance (usually about how to apply makeup, how to dress for particular places and occasions, and how to look like your favorite celebrity) usually mention the latest trends in fashion. For example, celebrities are currently crazy about headbands with dainty, sophisticated details, and most celebrity features have photos of them wearing this new fashion staple.
• Advertisements, usually for beauty and hair products, which feature women who appear underweight.
• Photos that are usually altered so that wrinkles, fat, pores and other "undesirable" qualities will disappear.

Being a teenager is a lot more work than it seems. It is a very confusing period filled with changes and challenges, and teens are confronting them on their own for the very first time. It is also the quintessential period where an individual feels the need to "belong" and to be "accepted". Teenagers, in their search for self, tend to latch on and emulate the most accessible images. Oftentimes, it's magazines that they turn to.

Recent studies on adolescent psychology have found that these media images may be negatively affecting how teens perceive themselves. In one study, 70% of teen girls agreed that magazines strongly influenced their opinion of what was the ideal body type. Knowing that they cannot compare to such unrealistic standards, many teens end up feeling inadequate and frustrated, and this can eventually lead to depression.

It's not just true for girls. Research is beginning to show that teen boys are affected by the images they see in the media as well. A survey on high school and college students revealed that both genders generally felt worse about their own bodies after reading fashion, sports, health and fitness magazines.

While we as parents may not be able to stop the proliferation of unrealistic images in the media today, we can help guide our children towards a healthier, more positive self-image. It is important to be a good role model. It will be hard to teach them that they are wonderful just the way they are if they see that we dislike our own bodies. It is also very beneficial to make them realize that there is so much more to a person than physical attributes. What's inside counts, too. Let her know which qualities you love about her. It could be a simple thing, like the time she generously gave her entire baby hairclip collection to her younger sister, or how her cheerfulness is infectious and brings warmth to the house. If she knows that she is appreciated, she is more likely to feel positively about herself.

Source: ArticlesBase

We all know that the Internet can be fun and a rewarding experience with Web design so powerful and attractive, designed to drive your attention. There are many wonderful things to see, learn and enjoy, but the Internet also can be a very scary place.
 
Just like you wouldn't want to surf in real water when you don't know how to swim, you don't want to enter the Internet without knowing the rules of safety. So, let’s begin and be aware of some safe surfing on the Internet. These tips are really helpful for parents and children.

Tips kids should learn:

• You should not give out personal information such as your address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location to any website until you are suggested by your parents (this especially applies to e-commerce website design).
• You should tell your parents right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.
• You should never send a person your picture or anything else without first checking with your parents.
• You should not give out your Internet password to anyone (even to your best friends) other than your parents.
• You should always make sure that you would be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

Tips parents should learn:

• Teach your children to, think before they click, with whom are they chatting or e-mailing, what are they saying and how are they saying it? Will the person on the other end know they are joking?
• Walk away from the computer and “Take 5” before responding to something that upsets them online.
• Teach them to never do anything online that you wouldn’t do in real life.
• Install spyware and adware blocking software on your computer.
• Make sure you have a working firewall.
• Install anti-virus software and update it regularly.
• Take advantage of spam-blocking tools offered by your Internet provider or e-mail software.

Now-a-days Web designers are trying to be more intelligent and sharper for you; like asking your kid’s age before letting them enter to your website. But you should also follow guidelines and take care of things that can harm your computer but more importantly your kids mind state.

Source: ArticlesFactory
About the Author: Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specializes in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and graphic design.

January 31, 2011

The other day I called my youngest sister, Cassidy. She is in 5th grade and easily the lowest maintenance, most kind-hearted, 10-year-old girl I know. It broke my heart when she answered the phone without her normal chipper greeting. She told me it had been a hard day. When I asked her why, she told me a story about these girls in her class that have been teasing her since the beginning of the year. That particular day was worse than ever because after they mocked her, Cassidy laid her head on her school desk and quietly sniffled to herself. The girls saw this, and instead of feeling guilty, they followed her and announced, "Now this is just pathetic; you're crying!" I was in shock! Why are girls are so mean? These girls are not the typical age stereotyped by the movie "Mean Girls," but without doubt, these 5th grade girls have an edge to them that is calculating and spiteful. According to Krista Kent, a middle school counselor in Salt Lake City, Utah, young girls are meaner now than they have ever been and there are two main reasons for the bullying that exists among females. The first reason is for status building or popularity and the second is for defending one's territory.

Kent said the first signs of bullying begin in 3rd grade. Girls are trying to establish themselves at this point as the "popular" ones. The first evidences of gossip and mockery begin around this age as girls try to build themselves up by tearing others down. They usually pick on the easy targets or the cute girls the bullies are jealous of. Easy targets include girls that come from poor families, are soft-spoken, less mature, or are socially and/or physically awkward. Jealousy usually tends to be based on appearance, other friendships, and perceived popularity standing. This type of bullying to build popularity lasts until the middle school years and then emerges again for high school.

Once girls enter middle school, the motivation behind bullying changes. Kent said of middle school girls, "Now it's a territorial thing, mostly based on fear." If a teenage girl has a crush on a boy and sees another girl flirting with him, a territorial rush sets in and everyone better watch out, Kent said. Bullying exists at this age because females are concerned and scared they are going to lose the status they worked so hard to establish. They become territorial about boys mostly. Girls at this age want so badly to impress the male population, something that really never mattered much during the elementary years. Self-esteem begins to suffer during this time because females compare themselves to others. There are many contributing factors that combine to make girls feel they must defend themselves, and that is why they act so tough and may bully others.

In high school, the girl drama definitely still exists, but the motivation for making fun of others, gossiping and bullying reverts back to the building of personal popularity and status. Girls are not solely trying to impress the boys anymore; now teenage girls feel pressure to be the best girl, be surrounded by pretty girl friends, and have a hot boyfriend on their arm. Girls tear other girls down in front of their friends in order to increase their social standing. It is not so much a territorial thing, because they feel secure in the territory/social group they are in, but now they want to be known as the best girl in their "clique."

All in all, Kent believes bullying has gotten much worse among females. It may not be catfights in the school halls, but the backbiting, gossip and cyber bullying are at all time highs. Even more unfortunate is that once girls get into the habit of tearing others down, it is hard to stop. But putting an end to bullying is possible; the remedy is adopting a positive self-esteem that involves not comparing oneself to others. Or, if all else fails, follow the advice from my favorite childhood movie, Bambi, "If you can't say anything' nice, don't say nothin' at all."

Source: Articlesbase
About the Author: Courtney Lewis is the manager of the bath & body store, Sweetly You.