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As the Cat Stevens’ song Wild World, says “Take good care, hope you make a lot of nice friends out there, but just remember there’s a lot of bad and beware“, the same goes for the Internet.
There is beauty in the world and many great people, but there are also many ugly aspects in life, and bad people who wish to inflict harm on others.
The Internet is the same way, in that the advantages for children growing up today in the world of computers includes exploring and obtaining an infinite amount of information. Children can learn about different ways of life, expanding their horizons about different cultures, and a world of opportunities awaiting them.
There are cyber-bullies and cyber-stalkers, waiting to pounce, that can ruin the Internet experience for them.
Cyber- stalking vs. cyber- bullying
Cyber-stalkers seek to threaten the safety, reputation, or even the employment and earnings of others. Victims of cyber-stalkers can experience a number of adverse affects including frustration, fear, and low self-esteem. These adversities prevent users from using the Internet to connect with peers and to engage in healthy online activities.
Cyber-stalkers will target people they do not know personally, but who might have angered them in some way, in their minds, and they seek to avenge the discretion. Cyber-bullies, on the other hand, target someone they know, attempting to destroy them emotionally, just as real-life bullies do.
Adults should take control of either situation. Changing ISP’s, phone numbers and e-mail addresses, might be necessary to lose a cyber-stalker. Taking steps to end cyber-bullying include contacting the website where the cyber-bullying is taking place, contacting their ISP, and even contacting the parents of cyber-bullies, as well as school officials involved.
