Synopses & Reviews
Cyberbullying among teens happens every day. Harsh words and damaging photos exchanged through texts, email, or social media can result in humiliation, broken friendships, punishment at school, and even legal prosecution. In some cases, online harassment has contributed to suicide. Faced with this frightening problem, parents, educators, and teens are looking for information and advice. But few cyberbullying resources speak to teens themselves.
Written by experts in cyberbullying prevention and reviewed by teens, this book provides strategies for dealing with teenage bullying happening online—such as saving a screenshot of hostile Facebook posts as evidence—as well as for those who have taken part in bullying others. It also presents ways for teens to make their schools and their communities kinder places that are free from online cruelty. This book gives teens the tools they need to keep themselves and others safe.
Review
“Words Wound is the first book that has been specifically written for teens to help them confront cyberbullying. Whether they are being targeted, see cyberbullying happening to others, or want to promote kindness within their schools, this book provides practical and proven advice on issues teens face every single day. Parents need to buy this book, read it, and share its wisdom with their children. Working together, parents and teens can be a solution to the problem of cyberbullying, and Words Wound can help guide those conversations.”—Dr. Michele Borba, internationally recognized parenting and bullying expert and author of 22 books including Building Moral Intelligence
Review
“It’s easy to think cyberbullying is out of everyone’s control. This book will show teens how they can use their power and influence to stem the tide of cruelty and replace it with a culture of kindness. These authors know everything there is to know about cyberbullying, and their strategies are realistic and smart. Read this book!”—Rachel Simmons, author of the New York Times best seller Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls
Review
“In today’s society, we need to equip our children with the knowledge and resources they need to combat the underbelly of cyberspace. Not only can this book be considered your teen's handbook to prevent cyber-cruelty, it will empower them to be cyber-mentors. Words Wound is the most important book you can purchase today!”—Sue Scheff, author of Google Bomb and Wit’s End: Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out-of-Control Teen
Review
“This powerful resource teaches students effective social networking skills and provides educators with insights to help teens manage their online reputations and lives.”—Patrick Mott, teen social media expert
Review
“This authoritative book has the potential to change behavior and influence social media interaction involving both teens and adults . . . Words Wound belongs in every library and classroom, anywhere that a bullied or bullying teen could find it easily and quickly.”—VOYA(Highlighted Review)
Review
“Words Wound empowers people of all ages to recognize cyberbullying and delete it from social behavior. Words Wound not only addresses the origins of bullying, but also provides effective strategies to combat it, proven through research and personal testimonies from targets of bullying. There couldn’t be a more effective book when it comes to understanding, identifying, and combatting bullying in any form.”—Kevin Curwick, creator of @OsseoNiceThings and founder of the “Nice It Forward” movement
Review
“Words Wound is written with young adults in mind, but has a tremendous amount of value for anyone who deals with teenagers . . . A great book to go through as a family.”—Volume One
Synopsis
Join the movement to delete cyberbullying and make kindness go viral. "This authoritative book has the potential to change behavior and influence social media interaction involving both teens and adults . . . Words Wound belongs in every library and classroom, anywhere that a bullied or bullying teen could find it easily and quickly."--VOYA (Highlighted Review)
Text. Social media. Email. Today's teens are more plugged in to the digital world than ever. Digital drama and cyberbullying can lead to humiliation, broken friendships, punishment at school, and even legal prosecution.
In some cases, online harassment has contributed to teen suicide.
Written by two experts in cyberbullying prevention, Words Wound is the go-to teen resource for:
- staying safe
- being respectful
- spreading kindness
- standing up for others--online and off
From simple strategies--like thinking twice before tweeting, texting, or tagging--to ideas that involve teamwork--like organizing a flash mob to spread an anti-bullying message--the book helps students be the primary agents of change.
With dozens of real-life stories from those who have experienced cyberbullying, Words Wound speaks directly to teens who are being cyberbullied, seeing cyberbullying, or who want to do something to build safer, more respectful and more welcoming schools.
This book empowers young people by giving them the tools they need to keep themselves safe online, protect their digital reputations, and make their schools and their communities kinder places.
Synopsis
Vicious words and damaging photos exchanged through texts, email, or social media can result in humiliation, broken friendships, punishment at school, and even legal prosecution. In some cases, online harassment has contributed to suicide. Written by experts in cyberbullying prevention, this book provides strategies for teens dealing with cyberbullying as well as for those who have taken part in bullying others. This book gives teens the tools they need to keep themselves safe online, protect their digital reputations, and make their schools and their communities kinder places.
Available Online – Free Leader’s Guide freespirit.com/leader
About the Author
Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D., is a professor of criminal justice in the Department of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. He has presented at the White House and has appeared on CNN and NPR and in Time and The New York Times to discuss issues related to teens’ use and misuse of technology. Dr. Patchin is the author (with Dr. Hinduja) of
Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard, Cyberbullying Prevention and Response, and School Climate 2.0. He lives in Wisconsin.
Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., is a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. He is recognized internationally for his groundbreaking work on the subjects of cyberbullying and safe social networking. He works with the U.S. Department of Education and many state departments of education to improve their policies on preventing and responding to teen technology misuse. Dr. Hinduja is the author (with Dr. Patchin) of Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard, Cyberbullying Prevention and Response, and School Climate 2.0. He lives in Florida.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why We Wrote This Book
Why Us?
How to Use This Book
We Want to Hear from You
Part One: Cyberbullying—What You Need to Know
Chapter 1: The Scoop on Cyberbullying 13
- What Is Cyberbullying?
- How Common Is Cyberbullying?
- Bullying in Person vs. Cyberbullying
- The Consequences
- Most Teens Don’t Cyberbully
Chapter 2: What to Do If You’re Being Cyberbullied
1. Keep a Journal
2. Save the Evidence
3. Never Retaliate
4. Talk About It
5. Ignore It
6. Laugh It Off
7. Speak Up
8. Block the Bullying
9. Report It
10. When to Call the Police
- Don’t Give Up
- You’re Not to Blame
- Thoughts of Suicide
- Stay Strong
Part Two: Treating Others with Respect and Protecting Yourself
Chapter 3: Pause Before You Post
- Think First
- Act with Integrity—Online and Off
- Don’t Let Differences Divide
- Watch Your Words
- What Your School Can Do
- Know Your Rights
- Answering to the Police
- Tracing Digital Footprints
- Use Your Head (and Your Heart)
Chapter 4: Start Standing Up, Not Standing By
- Be There
- Build a Group Effort
- Crush Cruel Content
- Talk to a Trusted Adult
- Record It and Report It
- Anonymous Reporting at School
- Step Up, Speak Up, Stand Up
Chapter 5: Stay Smart and Stay Safe
- 12 Tips for Protecting Yourself
1. Be Careful with Content
2. The Internet Never Forgets
3. Google Yourself
4. Keep Tabs on Your Digital Reputation
5. Never Respond to Mysterious Messages
6. Always Log Out
7. Protect Your Password
8. Guard Your Goods
9. Be Picky About Your Privacy
10. Location, Location, Location
11. Think Before You Friend or Follow
12. Catfishing
Part Three: Building a Culture of Kindness
Chapter 6: Delete Cyberbullying
- Become an Expert
- Research the Problem
- Get the Scoop at Your School
- Review the Rules
- Take Action!
- Join the Club
- Be a Mentor
- Walk the Walk
- Make an Announcement
- Host a Poetry Slam
- Take Center Stage
- Move Beyond Your School
- Speak Up
- Write a Letter to the Editor
- Get Political
- Take the First Step
Chapter 7: Make Kindness Go Viral
- Promote Kindness at Your School and Beyond
- Reach Out
- Make Art with a Message
- Take the Pledge
- Form a Flash Mob
- Be Creative
- Use Memes for Good, Not Evil
- Build an App
- Craft a Comic
- Random Acts of Online Kindness
- Get Social
- Nice It Forward
- Don’t Wait
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Authors