Although it is difficult to muster sympathy for cyberbullies, I do believe that children do things that seem like good ideas when the only people around them are peers who also fail to recognize their own problematic behavior as wrong.
We need to find ways to impress upon our young students that the victim in these cases isn't the only one damaged. The young perpetrators themselves and their families also find their lives changed immeasurably. Trusted, experienced, adult guides can help children avoid tragic decisions in their real-world lives, as well as in their cyber lives.
Although it is difficult to muster sympathy for cyberbullies, I do believe that children do things that seem like good ideas when the only people around them are peers who also fail to recognize their own problematic behavior as wrong.
We need to find ways to impress upon our young students that the victim in these cases isn't the only one damaged. The young perpetrators themselves and their families also find their lives changed immeasurably. Trusted, experienced, adult guides can help children avoid tragic decisions in their real-world lives, as well as in their cyber lives.