MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Cyber bullying is the subject of Ouachita Parish School Systems latest teacher seminars.
Social media and text messaging are vital means of communication and entertainment for students, but it's a breeding ground for bullying.
"Social networking is the number one problem we have," says Keith Dunn, "and it's a great resource, but it's the number one reason people are getting bullied."
Dunn is a former police officer and now travels to world to warn against cyber bulling.
Superintendent Bob Webber says Ouachita Parish schools have suffered seven suicides in two years. Webber thinks bullying may have played a role. In an effort to help prevent this from happening again, Dunn was called in to help.
"They have some policies set in place right now, but teachers first need to realize what cyber bullying is," says Dunn.
He says many people are confused about what is isn't considered online bullying.
"It can happen with best friends. It can happen by text. It can happen by email," says Dunn.
Although not always the case, Dunn says bullying is a key factor is teen suicides. Teachers at the seminar were stunned by the stories of suicide in young people and eager to learn ways of preventing it.
"Talk with their children openly, they need to interrogate the accusation and make sure that what's going on is cyber bullying and not just a once in a lifetime thing," Dunn says.
He says technology may be convenient and fun, but it's not always our friend. Dunn says that armed with new information about bullying, Ouachita teachers are a step closer to keeping students safe in the digital world.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:11 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:11:30 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - One person has died, following a collision between a train and a car in northern Ouachita Parish. Also, another person is injured after that wreck.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:27:15 GMT
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
TALLULAH, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Board members at Madison Parish Hospital put the CEO on administrative leave earlier this month and they told us why on Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:45 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:45:59 GMT
SHREVEPORT, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Shreveport police have arrested a 32-year-old woman in the death of a toddler who was brought to the hospital on Monday.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Shreveport police have arrested a 32-year-old woman in the death of a toddler who was brought to the hospital on Monday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:36:16 GMT
WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Wednesday, Governor Bobby Jindal signed bills into law aimed at improving gun safety and protecting Second Amendment rights.
WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Wednesday, Governor Bobby Jindal signed bills into law aimed at improving gun safety and protecting Second Amendment rights.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:03 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:03:32 GMT
EUNICE, La. (AP) - The "sexting" case against former Eunice High School teacher Jackie Fruge, originally filed in Eunice Municipal Court, is likely to be upgraded to a felony and moved to the state district court.
EUNICE, La. (AP) - The "sexting" case against former Eunice High School teacher Jackie Fruge, originally filed in Eunice Municipal Court, is likely to be upgraded to a felony and moved to the state district court.
