CYBER BULLYING AMONGST TEENS

What is Cyber Bullying?

 Bullying has always been an interpersonal issue. With more people involved in social online web sites such as Facebook and MySpace the regular everyday bullying that we are familiar with has taken a new form: cyber bullying. Parents may think that because cyber bullying is done via the online world with no face to face interaction that the outcome cannot be so bad. However, the repercussions of cyber bullying are damaging both emotionally and physically. Cyber bullying can be harmful emotionally because it involves threats and humiliation. As well, it is harmful physically because in many situations the humiliation is brought into the school scene and continues offline. Cyber Bullying involves harassing, tormenting, or threatening an individual. It is not only done through the internet. It can be done through any digital technology such as texting through a cell phone. Cyber bullying is especially hard for teens because they are extremely sensitive about their identity; the effects of the emotional abuse in cyber bullying takes its toll on the teen’s sense of self.

Cyber bullying includes…

·        sending a an e-mail to someone who said they want no more e-mails from the sender

·        threats such as sexual remarks or derogatory labels

·        ganging up on victims by making them the main focus of a negative discussion in forums

·        posting untrue statements where the goal is o cause humiliation 

·        making private information public such as one’s real name, address, school or workplace on websites or public forums

·        spreading rumors and gossip

Consequences of cyber bullying

·        low self esteem

·        suicidal thoughts (and in the rare case, actual suicide)

·        loss of respect from peers

·        public ridicule

·        withdrawal - victim avoids friends and activities (one of the major intentions of cyber bullying)

·        severe emotional damage

There have been incidences of beatings and murders in relation to cyber bullying but this is rare. Violent outcomes are less likely to happen when parents are involved in their teen’s activities on the computer and their life in general.

What can parents do to decrease cyber bullying amongst their teens?

·        Awareness- parents must know that cyber bullying has increased over time and is currently prevalent amongst teens. Once parents know this they can understand that it is a real problem that exists and requires attention.

·        Talk to kids about this issue. It is very common that kids who have been victims of cyber bullying have not told their parents.

·        Encourage kids to be open about this issue and to speak to either parents or a teache.

·        If the cyber bully is visible online take a picture of him just in case he needs to be tracked down.

·        Tell kids to not chat with cyber bullies, and to always save messages.

·        Encourage kids to have respect for their peers.

·        Be an advocate against cyber bullying. Many times kids do not get dealt for this because getting them in trouble means violating their freedom of speech. Fight for what’s right!

·        MOST IMPORTANTLY- tell kids to never give anyone online that they do not know their personal information and to never agree to meet the without an adult!

Note that the term “cyber bullying” refers to interactions occurring only between minors. Harassment by an adult toward a teen online is called “predation” rather than cyber bullying. Parents can involve law enforcement agencies in the case of predation and take strong steps to intervene and protect their child when such behavior is suspected or known.