Elizabeth Englander is the executive director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center and member of the Media Literacy Now advisory board. She is a nationally recognized expert in the area of bullying and cyberbullying, childhood causes of aggression and abuse, and children’s use of technology. She recently released her new book, 25 Myths About Bullying and Cyberbullying.
By Elizabeth Englander, Ph.D., MLN advisory board
Perhaps you think that bullying and cyberbullying have taken a backseat to the current pandemic? Consider: one April survey of parents found that average screen time for children has doubled during this crisis, with a corresponding rise in cyberbullying. As parents, we need to prepare our children to cope with digital forms of social cruelty, and how they may impact their social relationships and friendships over this summer and into the fall. COVID-19 hasn’t made bullying irrelevant: it’s moved it front and center, as a key issue.
Learn the truth about bullying in the 21st century: what to look for, and how to cope with the social problems facing today’s kids.
Whether dealing with bullying issues or worrying that they might occur, parents are faced with more challenges than ever before. In the age of the internet and social media, traditional approaches to bullying haven’t kept pace with new realities, and new problems like cyberbullying have emerged. Parents searching for ways to prevent or cope with bullying are flooded by a deluge of advice, opinions, and strategies—often conflicting or, even worse, potentially harmful. 25 Myths about Bullying and Cyberbullying helps parents understand the causes and consequences of bullying, determine if something is truly a problem, and effectively deal with problems when they arise.
25 Myths About Bullying and Cyberbullying is now available for purchase on Amazon.com
This practical guide enables parents to appreciate how modern digital environments impact a young person’s communication and relationships, recognize the most prevalent types of psychological bullying and cyberbullying, and know when and how to intervene. The author dispels common myths related to the confronting of bullies, victims seeking revenge on bullies, keeping kids off their phones and computers to prevent cyberbullying, the links between bullying and suicide, and many others. Backed by the most recent work in bullying and cyberbullying research, this book helps parents:
- Understand what causes, prevents, and stops bullying and cyberbullying
- Tell the difference between bullying issues and normal ‘growing pains’
- Recognize the signs and effects of psychological bullying
- Know when intervening is helpful, and when it can be destructive
- Reduce social anxieties and the potential for bullying issues in children and young adults
25 Myths about Bullying and Cyberbullying is an important resource for parents of school-age children and young adults, as well as staff in educational environments.
You can read the first few chapters online; if you like them, or like the entire book, please consider leaving a review. Thank you!
