The Internet a new source of bullying for some students

The Internet is becoming the 24/7 playground for bullies looking to humiliate their peers. i-SAFE America, an Internet safety education foundation, announced results of a national study among 1,566 students (grades four to eight) who are online. The results were:

•Fifty-seven percent of students said someone has said hurtful or angry things to them online, with 13 percent saying it happens "quite often."

•Fifty-three percent of students admit saying mean or hurtful things to someone online, with 7 percent admitting to doing it "quite often."

•Thirty-five percent of students have been threatened online, with 5 percent saying it happens "quite often."

•Forty-two percent of students have been bullied online, with 7 percent admitting it happens "quite often."

•Fifty-eight percent of students have not told their parents or another adult about someone being mean or hurtful to them online.

"Cyber-bullying is the latest trend in childhood harassment," said Teri Schroeder, president of i-SAFE. "With a click of a mouse, bullies can extend their harassment to their victim’s home.

"It’s more important than ever that kids are educated about cyber-bullying and parents are aware of their child’s Internet behavior.

"Bullying is being taken to the next level. Some of today’s adolescents—a generation that is always connected and always wired—are falling victim to harassment in chat rooms, e-mail, websites and instant messages," said Schroeder.

i-SAFE offers a Cyber Bullying supplement to their educational curriculum in grades four through eight. Students learn "netiquette," or rules to use on the Internet, and how to keep from being bullied online. In addition, students learn what to do if they are being cyber- bullied. The tips are:

•Tell a trusted adult about the bullying, and keep telling until the adult takes action.

•Don’t open or read messages by cyber bullies.

•Tell your school if it is school-related. Schools have a bullying solution in place.

•Don’t erase the messages: they may be needed to take action.

•Protect yourself: never agree to meet with the person or with anyone you meet online.

•If you are threatened with harm, inform the local police.

i-SAFE was founded in 1998 to work with schools and the community to educate people on Internet dangers.

To learn more about Internet safety, visit www.isafe.org/cyberbullying.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.