NATIONAL FAMILY CELEBRATIONS 2011

This year marks the 26th year of the National Family Celebrations. The National Family Council, with strong support from MCYS, will be bringing together a wide array of exciting and interesting programmes and activities from 25 May (Wednesday) to 25 June (Saturday) 2011 to encourage family bonding. The theme for National Family Celebrations 2011 (NFC'11) focuses on connecting youths with their family.

There are many ways you can take part in the Celebrations:

a) Coincide your school's "Family Day" with the Celebrations;
b) Organise family activities or talks for your parents, staff and their families to participate;
c) Support Eat With Your Family Day by releasing your staff early on 27 May 2011 (Friday). [Please contact Centre for Fathering at 6252 8428 or email the centre for more details.]
d) Encourage parents and staff to participate in the NFC'11 launch and closing events, as well as other ground activities; and
e) Provide a hyperlink to the NCF'11 website www.nfc.sg on your school's website.

Please note that participation in NFC ground activities outside school is not counted as an SFE programme. For school-based interactive and experiential activities, please include a debrief with parenting/family messages and these can be included as part of the school's SFE core programmes.

CYBER BULLYING

We would like to thank Media Development Authority (MDA) and TOUCH Cyber Wellness for contributing this article. For more information on the Cyber Wellness Campaign, please visit the website.

Netiquette, or Internet etiquette, refers to good social behaviour when using the Internet. It includes respecting people’s privacy online and not doing or saying anything that may bring harm or annoyance upon other Internet users. Some common platforms where positive netiquette is emphasized include email and online chats, conversations and comments.

Cyber bullying refers to deliberate and intentional attempts to cause physical, emotional or psychological harm to others through the use of the Internet and/or other digital technologies. It can be more dangerous than physical bullying in the following ways:

1. It happens round-the-clock;
2. The victim's humiliation is increased with the larger audience the Internet provides;
3. The effects of cyber bullying can linger and perpetuate since it is difficult to completely and permanently remove the incriminating content; Internet users could simply download and re-post the content;
4. It is difficult to identify the perpetrator as he can easily remain anonymous while online.

Some of the common platforms used by cyber bullies include:

- Online games such as MapleStory and Defense of the Ancients (DOTA; part of Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne);
- Social media networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and blogs;
- Instant messaging services such as Windows Live Messenger (“MSN”);
- Messages, photos and/or video captured by mobile phones.

Various Forms Of Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying can be broadly grouped into three categories:

1. Online threats:
This form of cyber bullying is the most dangerous as the cyber bully threatens to harm the victim. Immediate action should be taken to ensure the safety of the victim.

2. Taunting and rumour-mongering:
This is commonly used by cyber bullies to humiliate the victim in front of the wider audience provided by the Internet. This usually causes emotional and psychological harm to the victim.

3. Impersonation
The cyber bully impersonates the victim and does things to damage the reputation of the victim in the eyes of the public. This often happens on social networking sites.

Signs of Cyber Bullying
Some cyber bullies are bullies in real life. They may have been victims of bullying themselves. They often bully others online as a form of revenge, or to feel powerful and to have some control over their victims. Others may engage in cyber bullying due to peer pressure or to be accepted as part of a group.

Your child may be a victim of cyber bullying if he or she:

1. Unexpectedly stops using the computer;
2. Is nervous or jumpy when an instant, text, or email message appears;
3. Appears uneasy about going to school or going outside in general;
4. Appears to be angry, depressed or frustrated after using the computer;
5. Avoids discussions about what he or she is doing on the computer;
6. Becomes abnormally withdrawn from friends and family members.

Tips Against Cyber Bullying

1. Educate your children on:
a. How to observe positive netiquette:

- Be courteous and polite to others online;
- Be responsible when sharing photos and videos of others;
- Refrain from using full capital letters in messages, as this is online shouting;
- Understand that spreading online rumours will hurt others;

b. How to respond if they are cyber bullied:

- Keep any and all evidence of cyber bullying (e.g. press the PRINT SCREEN button - ‘Prt Scr’ - and paste the screenshot into a Microsoft Word document);
- Stop all communication with the cyber bully by closing the application or window;
- Report the bullying to parents, teachers or web moderators.

2. Take immediate action if your child is being cyber bullied by:
a. Requesting for a thorough investigation from the Internet service provider, mobile service provider, content provider or website administrator (provide evidence if available);
b. Working with school authorities if the cyber bully is suspected to be from the school;
c. Reporting the matter to the police if the cyber bullying involves criminal intimidation, the insulting of the modesty of a woman or racial slurs.

More Information

1. STOP Cyber Bullying

2. AsiaOne Special - Cyber Bully

3. Preventing bullying, protecting children

4. Cyber Bullying Research Center - Resources

5. Don’t Cyber Bully

6. Cyber bullying - Anti-social behavior online

7. Eight Ways to Deal with Cyber Bullies

(Source: www.cyberwellness.org.sg)