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Summer bullying continues on Summer Break
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Jun 18, 2008 at 6:46 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jun 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM EST
Cyber-bullying doesn't take the summer off. In fact, studies show that online harassment and bullying has increased 50% since 2000.
High school students spread gossip in the halls, on the walls and on the phone...and now it's on the internet.
16-year-old was a victim, "They were just making fun of me - oh, you know, she's really ugly, she's this, she's that, blah-blah-blah."
On message boards kids write about who they hate, who they think is pregnant or who has an STD. Emma Thift, who is only 11-years-old admits she wrote mean things about another girl. "After a while, you're like, how could I have been so mean?? Like why did I do that???"
Experts say gossip on the internet can be more harmful than the old fashioned kind. It's often anonymous because of fake screen names, it has the power of the written word, so it lasts longer and is taken more seriously.
If your kids are victims of online gossip, School Psychologist Ramah Commanday says, "Help them put it into perspective. Point out to them how what's being said on the screen differs from what everyone knows about you as a person."
You can also just avoid those websites altogether.
Experts say that any time your child is on the internet, you should have a good idea of what they're doing there. Install tracking software on your computer.