Once the scourge of unsupervised playgrounds, schoolyard bullying has moved into cyberspace. And it’s not just older kids who are texting vitriolic messages: Research indicates that cyberbullying – sending threatening, harassing messages and photos on the Web – begins as early as the second grade and peaks in middle school.
The popular conception of an Internet predator is the isolated, lone adult who systematically stalks young prey. Yet, a Rochester Institute of Technology study reveals that 59 percent of cyber victims in grades seven through nine report that their perpetrators are a “friend” they personally know – someone more likely to be a fellow student than an adult.
“Cyberbullying is immaturity at its best,” observes Frisco counselor and author Sharon Scott. “It often is to boost one’s ego or for revenge or to bolster group standing. Sometimes it’s even done out of boredom or just for kicks.”
What makes cyberbullying so poisonous is its instantaneous reach. Schoolyard bullying is generally limited to the number of children present, notes Scott. Yet mean-spirited notes and photos posted on Twitter or MySpace can spread to hundreds, thousands, and in several notable cases, millions of viewers across the Internet in just minutes.
A survey commissioned by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) shows that while four in 10 kids are being victimized by cyberbullies, only one in 10 will tell his parents. To keep potential abuse in check, Scott advises parents to monitor their child’s e-mail (if they have one at a young age), IMs and computer use, and, if necessary, restrict computer time.
