True or False?

• Cyberbullying victims are at increased risk for traditional bullying victimization, substance use and school problems.
• Victims of cyberbullying suffer from anger, frustration and sadness.
• Most victims of cyberbullying tell an adult about their experience.
• Victims report that they are primarily cyberbullied by strangers.
• If you answered “true” for the first two statements and “false” for the last two, you are correct.

News stories abound about young people and bullying.  Perhaps the most widely known incident is about Megan Meier, a then 13-year-old from Missouri who became online friends with a person she thought was a new boy in town.  The “friend” was actually a group of young people and adults who plotted to humiliate Megan because of a broken friendship with another girl.  When Megan discovered the truth, she became distraught and later committed suicide.

Cyberbullying is defined as using the computer or other electronic devices to intimidate, threaten or humiliate another.  It most commonly takes place on the Internet among students from a given school or neighborhood.

Recently the Cyberbullying Research Center, using data collected from more than 1,500 youth regarding their personal cyberbullying experiences, found that:

• 33 percent of youth have been victimized by cyberbullying.
• Among this percentage, being ignored and disrespected were the most common forms of cyberbullying.
• More than half of study participants feel that cyberbullying is as bad as, or worse than bullying in real life.
• 41 percent of victims do not tell anyone in their off-screen lives about their abuse, but 38 percent told an online friend.
• 17 percent admitted to bullying another individual online.
• Of the offenders interviewed, most considered it fun or instructive; such as a way to strengthen their victims.

Researchers Justin Patchin and Sameer Hinduja, co-directors of the Cyberbullying Research Center, point out that the most important fact from this research is that five percent of the youth they interviewed claimed to be scared for their own safety.

Cell phones, emails, instant messaging, websites, blogs, text messages and any other way that your child communicates through electronics all present a potential risk to your child for cyberbullying. 

What do Parents Need to Know?
The impact of cyberbullying can be devastating.  Cyber victimization has been shown to cause poor grades, emotional spirals, poor self-esteem, repeated school absences, depression and in some cases suicide. These outcomes are similar to the outcomes of real-life bullying, except that with cyberbullying there is often no escape. Young people used to be able to avoid the “bully” once school was out.  The Internet, cell phones and other technology now make it almost impossible to escape.  Since few parents closely monitor their child’s technology, it is far easier for bullies to get away with bullying online than in person.  And as the quiz pointed out, kids rarely tell their parents about the bullying.   

What can Parents Do?

• Establish that all rules for interacting appropriately with people in real life apply online. 
• Explain what cyberbullying is and why it is unacceptable to bully or to be bullied. 
• Talk with your teen about the nature of REAL friendships. 
• Encourage your child to talk with you any time they believe they are being bullied or they know someone who is being bullied. 
• Model appropriate use of technology. 
• Write a technology contract that includes any form of technology used in your home. 

Cyberbullying can be a serious threat to the wellbeing of your child.  The best plan of attack is to be pro-active.   Being ignorant about technology in this day and age won’t cut it.  Educate yourself as well as your children.  As the saying goes, information is power.