Anti-Bullying Week - Cyberbullies!

This is the world of cyberbullying – a 21st century phenomenon that has become as much a concern for health care professionals as old-fashioned bullying, says Christine Vitale, MSN, RN, Injury Prevention coordinator at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“We all need to be aware so that we can teach our children that this is absolutely wrong – and dangerous,” says Ms. Vitale. Cyberbullying is worrisome because there is no relief from it, says adolescent medicine subspecialist Melanie A. Gold, DO. “Whenever you log on, the messages are there. Your home is no longer your safe haven.”
Cyberbullying has become so pervasive that Dr. Gold addressed the issue in the updated edition of a book for adolescents she co-authored with two high school students and a college student: Teen-to-Teen: Teens Talk about Sex, Self-Esteem and Everything In-Between (Bridging the Gap Foundation, 2005).
Who are they and what do they do?
It is mostly pre-teen and young teenage girls (and some boys) who are empowered by the illusion of anonymity, says Dr. Gold of Children’s Division of Adolescent Medicine.
It’s only an illusion because abusers can be tracked down through the Internet Service Provider (ISP)once they are reported.
Parents need to be tenacious to track down and report perpetrators, says Dr. Gold.
Instead of spewing spiteful in-your-face taunts, today�s bullies hide behind their computer screens and cell phones as they send out cruel e-mails, text messages, instant messages (IM) and their own Web pages.
Cyberbullies may:
Steal passwords and then send out threatening e-mails or instant messages (IM) under someone else’s name.
Create blogs (personal Web sites about their day-to-day activities) and post rumors, stories, cartoons, pictures and jokes ridiculing others.
Post pictures of kids online, and then ask other kids to rate them.
Take a picture with a digital phone camera of a boy or girl in the locker room or using the bathroom, and then send it to others.
Become cyber savvy
The Internet is a valuable resource for children to do research and to communicate with their teachers and friends. Yet, it can be invasive and overwhelming – taking them to harmful and hurtful “places.” Just as you wouldn’t send your children to unsafe neighborhoods, you shouldn’t allow them into uncharted Internet territory.
Discuss computer etiquette with your children and – together – create a computer contract that helps them understand their responsibilities while online
Don’t allow your children to own phones with built-in digital cameras.
Teach them never to post or say anything on the Internet that they would not want anyone else to read – including you.
Encourage them to talk to you if they receive messages online that make them feel uncomfortable or threatened. If it’s someone from school, talk to the teacher or other school officials.
Tell your children not to give out their cell phone number, instant message (IM) name or e-mail address to anyone they don’t know.
Online safety:
Check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to learn more about how you can provide online security for your children. For example:
America Online’s “AOL Guardian” can restrict IM buddies as well as report which Web sites your kids visit and with whom they exchange messages.
Microsoft’s “content provider” allows parents to set up approved groups of Web addresses. It also provides a “restricted zone” and “client filtering” that limits Web surfing time and prevents use of certain Internet games.