Facebook Is Now Adding a "Dislike" Button

            "A Dislike" button!

Wow, we have been waiting patiently as facebook fans to finally get the option to slam something on Facebook with the click of our cursor.

But, what will happen? Who will yield this as a weapon of destruction?  On social media this is just another opportunity to put people down.  Making fun of a comment, saying disrespectful tirades on aa post or photo has always been easy and now Facebook will simplifythe idea for the new social putdown. This button will fuel the fire of Facebook drama in the easily influenced teen crowd who lives on the internet.

We do have option.

1. I can ignore it.
2. I can comment (and stir it up)
3. I can comment and praise
4. I can remove the comment
5. I can unfriend the idiot poster.

And now a "dislike" button.  It will be it's very own soap opera.

Mike Bogdanski

America's ANTI Bully

.

5 Back To School Cyberbully Tips

With the start of school rapidly approaching, parents have a lot on their mind. And with the proliferation of cell phones and tablets at school students and their parents are facing bullying and cyberbullying like never before. Here are five ways to prevent cyberbullying in the back-to-school time of year.

1. Know what's on the phone

Knowing what apps are on your child's phone is key to preventing cyberbullying.

 Ask questions about how the apps are used and what they are used for.

If you don't know what an icon is, ask your kids to tell you about it. 

2. Be the parent – not the friend

School is a tough time for some kids and guidance is the primary role of the parent.  Parents must set some parameters.  

Not their buddy, not their friend, not their pal, just their parent,

We hold their hand crossing the street, make sure they brush their teeth and now we have to see who is talking to them on the internet.

3. Teach empathy

Empathy is walking is someone's shoes.  WE need to teach kids about how much bullying hurts.  Especially the anonymous kind on the internet.

Teaching your child to be empathetic will allow them to walk in that person's shoes and feel their pain if they are being bullied.

4. Encourage social activities

Anything connected to the internet is a big part of the cyberbullying problems,  Laptops, Ipads, xbox and cell phones all connect us.

Many kids who are seen as loners and seem isolated tend to apear vulnerable and are targets to be picked on. Get your kids involved with clubs, groups or sports teams to make sure they have a strong social network.  They need to feel included.

If active socializing isn't for your kid, parents can work to build up the child's self-esteem and resiliency.

Loners probably want to be part of a group and need to be encouraged to build their social skills.

5. Be the role model

Children learn primarily from their parents and the adults in their life. What you do speaks louder than what you say.  Show empathy in life and point it out when you see it.

Parents can point out characters in tv shows, articles in the newspaper or even on cartoons where empathy and helping a person can be highlighted.

ANTI Bully QUOTES

There are a number of ways through which bullying can be addressed. Changing the culture of a school community takes a multiple level approach. I am a big fan of motivational quotes to inspire myself and others.  Quotes can be used to encourage both the bully and the victim to take a different perspective altogether in addressing bullying.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else – Judy Garland
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth – John F. Kennedy
Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact – William James
It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities – J.K Rowling

You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection – The Buddha

To thine own self be true – William Shakespeare
To go against the dominant thinking of your friends of most of the people you see every day is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform
No one can give you better advice than yourself – Cicero

Most of the shadows of life are caused by standing in your own sunshine – Ralph Waldo Emerson
I say NO to the demands of the world, I say YES to the longings of your own heart – Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself – Ralph Waldo Emerson

He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened – Lao Tzu
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open and remove all doubt – Mark Twain
The human race has one really effective weapon and that is laughter – Mark Twain
Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city – George Burns

Mike Bogdanski

America's ANTI Bully