Ridgewood NJ to Host Program on Cyberbullying - Speaker Asks Ridgewood Parents to Take the Megan Pledge

Ridgewood Schools Recognize that Cyberbullying is an Epidemic that Needs to be Addressed

See the video below about the cyberbullying related suicide of Megan Meir.  It will help you understand how truly serious this issue is.  In fact, during the program Ridgewood Parents will be asked to take the Megan Pledge.

This event will take place at Ridgewood High School Campus on December 11th at 7pm. The program will be sponsored by Ridgewood's George Washington Middle School.

What is Cyberbullying and why should Ridgewood Residents Care?

Cyber-Bullying is defined as situation where a student uses information and communication technologies such as email, cell phone and pager text messaging, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites and defamatory online personal polling Web sites to harass, humiliate, intimidate and/or threaten other students on the Internet.

The Presentation to Ridgewood Parents will be made by WiredSafety's Executive Director

Parry Aftab an Internet privacy and security lawyer as well as WiredSafety's Executive Director. WiredSafety is the world's largest Internet Safety and help group. Parry has spoken to thousands of students and parents and knows the hot topic issues and explains them in "parent speak".

Parry Aftab will offer Ridgewood parents practical and workable ways to balance their parental responsibilities and create sensible guidelines for their Ridgewood Students.

 Here are some of the topics that will be covered:

• What steps can Ridgewood parents take to prevent their children from becoming victims of cyberbullying? (pro-active approach)
• If they become victims, what can Ridgewood Students and parents do, where can parents go for help and when do they bring it to the attention of Ridgewood school administrators or the Ridgwood Police?
• What to do if you discover that your child is a Cyberbully?
• Most victims of CyberBullying are so affected by the threats and harassment that they keep quiet and never report it to their parents, teachers or friends. It is important that victims realize that trusted adults are here to fight this new form of bullying.

For more information please visit the WiredSafety site or email Mary Lou Handy at 

mhandy@ridgewood.k12.nj.us

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Ridgewood NJ to Host Program on Cyberbullying and Asks Ridgewood Parents to Take the Megan Pledge