H.A.V.E.N. Update
By Cathleen Osborne-Gowey (Program Admin – Crime Victim Advocate) 541.602.0616 or COsbornegowey@estoo.net
Upcoming Events:
Haven will be attending the Children’s Powwow this month and our larger Powwow in September – contact our office for more details.
Support Group will now be IN PERSON: Please call our office for details.
Program Update:
Hello all –
Summer is still hot, but fall is in the air! This month, as we prepare to get our kids back into school, we’re focusing on cyberbullying. Did you know that cyberbullying is a crime? Have you had a chance to talk to your kids about cyberbullying? Do you feel you know what to say or how to help the kids in your life prevent cyberbullying? Below is an article from stopbullying.gov full of types for adults on how to help teens.
https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
- Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok
- Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
- Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet
- Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit
- Online gaming communities
Special Concerns
With the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online – both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content – creates a kind of permanent public record of their views, activities, and behavior. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, which may be accessible to schools, employers, colleges, clubs, and others who may be researching an individual now or in the future. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved – not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it. Cyberbullying has unique concerns in that it can be:
Persistent – Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief.
Permanent – Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life.
Hard to Notice – Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying taking place, it is harder to recognize.
Laws and Sanctions
All states have laws requiring schools to respond to bullying. As cyberbullying has become more prevalent with the use of technology, many states now include cyberbullying, or mention cyberbullying offenses, under these laws. Schools may take action either as required by law, or with local or school policies that allow them to discipline or take other action. Some states also have provisions to address bullying if it affects school performance. You can learn about the laws and policies in each state, including if they cover cyberbullying.
Resources and Stopbullying.gov
Check out the stopbullying.gov website for more information on how to prevent cyberbullying, social media and apps, cyberbullying and gaming, digital awareness for parents, how to establish rules, tips for teachers, how to report cyberbullying, and how to deal with “haters”. The best way to help our kids is to educate ourselves. This isn’t the world we all grew up in, so we parents/guardians/teachers have to educate ourselves on what our kids are facing.
It’s important that everyone in our community know they are NOT ALONE! Haven is here to help and provide services. If you have questions, please contact HAVEN and talk with one of our advocates about how we can help and what services Haven provides.
If you are able please call or see the messaging links above:
Haven Office: 918-554-2836
Text Line: 918.533.3070
Crime Victim Advocate: 541.602.0616
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
Our advocates are here to help!
