This Issue: Cyberbullying

By now we’ve all seen the tragic headlines. Cyberbullying is a serious and growing problem among today’s young teens—but there is plenty adults can do to address and prevent it.  In Issues Three and Four, bNetS@vvy provides resources from a range of perspectives to help adults understand the problem and connect with young teens to reduce the risks that they will become bullies or victims online.

What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying covers a range of cruel or hurtful conduct. It involves using interactive technologies—e-mail, instant messaging (IM), texting, wireless phones, and Websites—to send or post insulting, abusive or threatening messages. Unlike traditional bullying, it can be done anonymously and victims can be targeted 24 hours a day, at home, at school, anywhere they go online.

“I’ve seen cyberbullying range from something as trivial as ‘that’s insulting and hurtful, but I have enough confidence to turn it off and block you’ to life-changing and devastating,” says family therapist Julie Guido, one of this month’s From the Experts columnists.

Under-Reported and On the Rise
Several recent studies suggest that cyberbullying in all its forms is a pervasive and growing problem. In a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey, one-third of online teens said they have been targets of cyberbullying.

The real numbers may be even higher. A recent poll by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization of law enforcement leaders, found that one in three teens and one in six preteens have been victims of cyberbullying—that’s more than 13 million children age 6 to 17. As many as 2 million of these young people did not tell anyone about the attacks.

Young teens who are cyberbullied or harassed may be reluctant to tell parents, teachers or other adults because they feel humiliated or ashamed. They may fear that adult involvement will only make the situation worse, or limit their access to technologies.
    
A Far-Reaching Impact
Cyberbullying can be devastating to the victims, as recent news coverage attests. It can take a serious toll on self-esteem, social confidence, relationships with peers and family, and on schoolwork. Children who are bullied are five times more likely to experience depression, according to Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.  

Friends and bystanders also suffer. Cyberbullying creates a climate of fear, uncertainty and disrespect—all conditions that can disrupt learning in a school environment.

Bullying of all forms is most persistent and acute among middle school-age teens, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. For this reason, parents, teachers and other adults who work with young teens must be savvy about cyberbullying, and work to keep the lines of communication open.

What We Know About What Works: Solutions to Cyberbullying
The media coverage doesn’t always include the good news that there are some proven solutions. As the phenomenon continues to capture attention nationwide, many schools are tackling the issue and establishing policies to protect and intervene—and to make sure that the educational and social benefits of new technologies are not undermined by the potential for misuse.

It is no easy task, and educators and administrators may have more questions than answers as they begin.

A growing number of effective tools and resources are being developed to help. Many of these resources are available online and include role-playing scenarios and multimedia activities adults and kids can use together. Our partner, NetSmartz, has great activities for teens and adults at www.nsteens.org. Another multimedia resource is Adina's Deck, a Website and film about cyberbullying that was created based on research in three California middle schools. Check our Links/Resources section for more great sites.

"The most important action that parents and teachers can take is to understand what young teens are doing online and on wireless phones," says Jerry Newberry, executive director of the NEA Health Information Network. "Supervise their interactions and talk to them openly about cyberbullying and appropriate behavior. Encourage them to talk to you."

In this Issue:

FROM THE EXPERTS | Beyond Sticks and Stones: Dealing with Severe Cyberbullying
Q&A with Therapist Julie Guido, Part Two
In the second part of our series, Julie Guido discusses a severe case of cyberbulling and how the victim found healing—and how schools and parents/guardians can intervene with bullies, victims and bystanders.

TEACHER’S DESK |  What Students Taught Me About Cyberbullying
By Patti Agatston, Ph.D.
Ever wonder what young teens really know and think about cyberbullying—and what messages work to reach them? Psychologist Patti Agatston and two colleagues recently held focus groups with middle and high school students. Here, Agatston shares five key points parents/guardians and teachers need to know.

PARENTS’ CORNER | Cyberbullying: Then and Now
by Anthony J. Varni  
In 2005, Anthony Varni was a member of the Principal Advisory Committee at his children's school when a cyberbullying issue arose—although no one had yet heard the term “cyberbullying.” Here’s what he wishes they had known just three years ago.

YOUTH VOICES |  Students Sound Off about Online Safety
How do young teens feel about online safety, wireless phones, and meeting up offline? Students at Hampshire High School in Illinois shared their thoughts with bNetS@vvy.

For more, check out Issue Three:

• From the Experts | Julie Guido, a family and school therapist, discusses the developmental issues surrounding cyberbullying, and what works to curb bullying and minimize the damage for victims.

• From the Experts | Nellie Bogar, director of an after-school program in Florida, explains her strategies for fostering compassion and trust among the young teens in her program.

• Parents' Corner | Leslye Kenney, a Vermont mother, shares her family’s personal story, and what parents and schools must do to confront and prevent cyberbullying.

•  In our Youth Voices section, two middle-school students offer their experiences with cyberbullying, and what to do if you suspect a friend is becoming a bully.