by mark on September 28, 2010
Thirty states ban texting while driving, and results in no reduction in accidents.
In three out of four of the states where studies were done to determine the laws effects, the number of crashes increased.
Could it be that the law isn’t deterring people because it’s generally a difficult law to enforce? Having phone records subpoenaed after the crash can provide evidence that you were on your cell phone talking or texting. But this law is difficult to enforce in an effort to avoid the accidents in the first place.
So, now, instead of having to keep your eyes on the road ahead of you while you’re texting, you also have to focus on your rear view mirror, and on the stationary cars on the side of the road that could be police cars that will bust you for texting. More distractions!
So if I’m injured in an accident, I’m going to sue the lawmakers who exacerbated an already dangerous situation. What do you think?
by mark on September 22, 2010
Sticks and stones my break your bones, but names will never hurt you.
Ya… well, tell that to the kid who has a few dozen kids spreading lies and saying terrible things about him online, in public, where all of his 306 Facebook friends can read it.
Unlike traditional bullying which usually involves a face-to-face confrontation, cyber victims may not see or identify their harasser,” according to the survey. “As such, cyber victims may be more likely to feel isolated, dehumanized or helpless at the time of the attack.”
Helpless. What can you do when a pack of nasty kids decides to bomb Facebook or Twitter with nasty comments about you. Absolutely nothing. With traditional face-to-face bullying, the bully always ran the risk of getting punched in the face at least. That probably kept things in check to some degree. But online, the perps are safely separated from the victim by some unknown number of routers, switches and miles of cable.
“With traditional bullying, both bully and victim report feeling depressed. But when it comes to cyber-bullying, it is the victim who is more likely to report depression. The instigator tends to emerge unscathed.” (CNN)
Parents really need to keep the lines of communication open with their kids. Make sure that your kids are definitely comfortable letting you know when they’re having problems online.
What advice would you give your kid if he came to you and told you that he or she was being harassed online by other kids?
