Cyberspace Bullies

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The schoolyard bully — not always the big kid with a bad home life who extorts lunch money — has slowly broadened his turf, reaching into your teen’s computer and cell phone. In addition to depression, stomach aches and failing grades, bullies lurking in virtual shadows of cyberspace at home and school are responsible for beatings, murders and suicides. And some experts say there’s little that can be done to stop them.

Cyberbullying is more social than physical, says Karen Glenn, director of a Hamilton County Schools program called Students Taking a Right Stand. “Sometimes the social is even more devastating than the physical,” notes Glenn, “because it’s internal. It’s almost as if it changes the belief system.”

The increasing use of computers and cell phones to intimidate, harass or harm — usually by spreading rumors and destroying reputations is stunning.

A recent study at the Pew Research Center found 32 percent of teen users have experienced online harassment — usually involving threatening messages, rumors spread online or embarrassing photos published without permission.

Amanda Lenhart, a senior research specialist at the Pew Research Center, says new research is notable for the questions it doesn’t answer.

“The data I’ve put together suggests research on cyberbullying is still in the early stages,” she says. “One of the issues is a lot of people are using a lot of different definitions. It’s hard to know where the center really lies.”

Approximately 90 percent of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online. About 75 percent have visited a website bashing another student. Conflicts that start online are only addressed by area schools when students carry the disputes into the school system, says Glenn, who provides training about behavior of bullies.

School policy prohibits the use of cell phones during school hours, she notes. “As it comes to the school, it becomes an issue for the school,” she adds. “We’re not in a position to police what people do at home after hours. We do teach students to be respectful to one another.”

Kathy Patty, president of the Tennessee Parent Teacher Association, says parents are the key to reducing the problem. “Our parents are just going to have to step up,” she says. “They’re going to have to be more aware of what’s going on, and go as far as changing phone numbers and blocking the communication.”

But Lenhart says students may be reluctant to tell their parents if they are having problems online.

“In some cases, kids won’t tell their parents because they’re worried parents will take away their Internet access,” she notes. Parents can find it difficult to determine who the bully is and who is the victim, because teenagers can often trade roles. “There’s the concept of the bully victim, someone who is the victim and bullies themselves,” Lenhart says. “It can be hard to untangle. There isn’t always the person who threw the first punch.”

Teens see no difference between conflicts in the real and online world, according to Nancy Willard, director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet use in Oregon. Willard has worked on cyberbullying issues since 2000.

“Young people do not distinguish all that much between the real world and electronic communications, so all of the disputes they are getting into are manifesting both in the real world as well as through the use of electronic technologies,” she says. “The more important questions are how serious are these incidents, and how effectively can young people resolve them on their own?”

Willard agrees cyberbullying frequently puts local school officials in “no win” situations. Court rulings, she says, permit schools to punish students for off-campus speech if it can cause substantial interference with the right of a student to be secure. But she also notes it’s important for students to learn how to resolve these conflicts on their own.

Willard says the first thing teenagers need to understand is never to put anything in electronic format that can be used against them. This means “a nude image, picture of yourself smoking pot, information about people you have a crush on,” she adds. “Your best friend could end up being not your best friend.”

She concedes it might be hard to convince all teenagers not to take embarrassing pictures or make confessions online. But if her center’s message can get through to a few teenagers, that’s better than none.

Your child may be a victim if he or she:

1. Suddenly and unexpectedly stops using the computer

2. Appears nervous or jumpy when a text message or e-mail appears

3. Appears uneasy about going to school, or outside in general

4. Appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated after using the computer

5. Becomes abnormally withdrawn from usual friends and family members

—— Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin, directors of the online Cyberbullying Research Center

A Cyberbullying Glossary

The Educator’s Guide to Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats by Internet-use expert Nancy Willard defines many forms of cyberbullying:

Flaming: Online fights through electronic messages using angry and vulgar language.

Harrassment: Repeatedly sending nasty, mean and insulting messages.

Denigration: Sending or posting gossip or rumors about a person to damage his or her reputation or friendships.

Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material to get that person into trouble or danger or to damage that person’s reputation or friendships.

Outing: Sharing someone’s secrets or embarrassing information or images online.

Trickery: Talking someone into revealing secrets or embarrassing information and then sharing it online.

Exclusion: Intentionally and cruelly excluding someone from an online group.

Cyberstalking: Repeated, intense harassment and denigration that includes threats or creates significant fear.

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