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Increase in cyber-bullying

By Ian Schwartz
Friday, May 11, 2007

PEORIA -- Although cyberspace can be a great way to get connected, it also allows room for potentially dangerous situations.

Yesterday HOI 19 News told you about an Edison Junior high school student that police said made some disturbing comments in a chat room about hurting himself and other classmates.

Some research indicates cyber bullying is happening more and more.

According to the Karmon Institute an education training group.

20% to 50% percent of junior high and high school students said they have been bullied online.

In 2000 6% of students said they were bullied.

That same data said less than 20% told their parents about it.

Chris Franciskovich of the the Children's Hospital of Illinois said parent and child communication is key.

“They (children) don't need to fear retribution from the parent that they are going to remove their internet privileges, it's just teaching them where to go, what's good and opening those lines of communication,” Franciskovich said. “so that they feel comfortable coming to you and telling you something not quite right is going on here."

Below are tips on preventing cyber bullying from the Karmon Institute.

Launch a proactive, preemptive program that replaces the natural name-calling, bullying, taunting bullying behaviors with a positive focus. Re-norm what is considered cool at school
Kamaron® Institute has successfully done with the KC3™ Positive Label Program, which has proven to decrease bullying behaviors by 50 percent.

Make sure ethics and character as bullying preemption should be included in any computer instruction given at your school.

Partner with your PTA for a parent briefing on all cyber bullying as well as bullying on buses and in school.

Encourage your school district to develop a clear, comprehensive bully preemption and cyber bulling prevention policy on acceptable computer use, both on and off school property.

The policy should spell out what constitutes cyber bullying, and list consequences.

Establish a bullying prevention relationship with your local police department, perhaps inviting “cyber cops” to your school to speak to parents and kids on proper Internet use.