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Adams Central students get lesson in cyber bullying
Technology keeps us connected to everyone and everything whenever we want. It seems like a good thing. But, one local high school is helping students understand where things could go wrong.
At Adams Central High School in Hastings Tuesday the classes discussed everything from cyber-bullying to sexting. The school wants students to be aware and informed about inappropriate online behavior. Bullying takes on many forms. Nowadays, cyber bullying is all too common. "I would never want to be cyber-bullied." Some experts believe social media and cell phones foster mean behavior. Because it's easier to write something on the computer than to actually say it to somebody's face. "They're not here. We don't see those immediate reactions from someone. We don't see the hurt that's caused by it," said Officer Brent Eigenberg. All freshman at Adams Central are required to take Information Technology. It's an introductory course on computers. They're currently learning internet safety. "I want kids to realize that anytime they take a picture or send a text it can be forwarded to all contacts real easily," teacher Neile Anderson said. This lesson encompasses all aspects of internet safety. Officer Eigenberg pulled up kids' Facebook pages to see just how much anyone from around the world can find out about them by their profile. This was an eye opener. "It was a pretty good lesson about you know, maybe you shouldn't put some things on Facebook that shouldn't be there," said freshman Kendall Oberheide. Eigenberg says this is a life long lesson. All of this applies to adults too. But, it's not just about safety. Posting explicit messages or photos online and via text message could harm you later in life. Facebook is the most targeted social medium. "A lot of businesses use it for pre-employment background checks. Colleges are looking at them. Using them to see what's going on. So, yes it can affect them for along time," said Eigenberg. "I think it's eye opening for the students and for the parents. Just so they know that it's out there." Officer Eigenberg urges parents to keep computers in a public area in the home. This will help deter kids from engaging in illicit behavior online. He also says it's important to keep an open policy with kids, so they feel comfortable talking about these issues. |
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