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Cyber Bullies
By Teri Brown
Remember that old childhood adage about sticks and stones? Times have changed, and conventional wisdom has proven that names can indeed hurt – even worse than physical blows. Though childhood is the traditional time for schoolyard bullies, it is during the teen years that the art of bullying is perfected. Gossip, pranks, notes and name calling become typical tactics used to intimidate and harass "outsiders." Technology has given bullies a new weapon in their arsenal, and unsuspecting teens receive electronic harassment, a silent persecution sent by e-mail, text messaging, cell phones and Web pages.
Nicole Conway, a 17-year-old senior from Tigard, Ore., says that such bullying is a common occurrence. "It happens all the time," she says. "One person will get angry with another person and hand out their AIM name or cell phone number, and [the harassment] begins."
Conway, like many teens who are not on the receiving end of cyber bullying, doesn't seem to think it's that big of a deal. "I have only seen it actually lead to violence once," she says. "Usually it's just a lot of name calling and profanity but doesn't often go beyond that."
According to experts, however, cyber bullying is harmful – whether or not it leads to actual physical confrontations. Simon Johnson, author of Keep Your Children Safe on the Internet (McGraw-Hill Osborne Media, 2004), believes that one of the most destructive elements to cyber bullying is its invasiveness into an area where teens typically feel safe – their home. "This is a very serious issue," says Johnson, a former IT security specialist. "Unlike traditional bullying where teens can come home and be safe, cyber bullying occurs 24/7."
