Comments on: Facebook Bully Gets Choked

By: LK Gardner-Griffie

LK Gardner-Griffie — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 02:21:25 +0000

In reply to Carolina Valdez Miller. I agree Carol. Often times the problem stems from the parents. And I think anyone with a teenage daughter will completely understand the emotions that mother was going through.

By: Carolina Valdez Miller

Carolina Valdez Miller — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:41:41 +0000

I don’t blame the mother at all. She was wrong, of course, but pain makes us act in miserable ways sometimes. What that boy had done to her daughter is abominable and beyond excusable. I can only imagine how unbearable it had been to go through that with her child. You try to so hard to protect your children.

You’re right in that the issue goes far beyond the parents just needing to monitor what their son is doing online–they need to get to the bottom of the reasons for his bullyish behavior. Although, often the parents contribute to/influence their child’s bullyish acts with their own behavior and/or neglect and lack of involvement, so it may be something that would require a deeper investigation.

By: LK Gardner-Griffie

LK Gardner-Griffie — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:15:27 +0000

In reply to Carolee.

Exactly my thoughts on the mom’s behavior…I can’t condone, but I do thoroughly understand the emotion. And I agree the anonymity factor is so great, adults as well as kids forget they are dealing with actual living, breathing, human beings on the other side of the “page”.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

By: Carolee

Carolee — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:47:16 +0000

I think technology has allowed a form of anonymity that, even though this bully’s identity was obvious, creates a sense of security. So much is said online that would never be said face-to-face. The results have been tragic in many cases, and I worry that the problems will keep growing. I taught a homeschool high-school class on teens and the law and was “lucky” enough to have the Dharun Ravi cyber-spying case to follow. I do check my 16 year-old son’s Facebook page, I’ve Googled his name and was unpleasantly surprised at some off color comments he had made. It provided a great opportunity to discuss how our words are a reflection of the soul, and the lasting impact internet postings can have on our lives. Teens need to be guided – that’s our job as parents. Thanks for bringing attention to this difficult subject – I think the more parents are aware of what’s going on out there, the better we will be prepared to help deal with the consequences. BTW – I don’t condone this mom’s behavior, but I completely understand the emotion behind it.