“National Cyber Alert System: Cyber Security Tip ST06-005,” describes the newly emerging problem of cyberbullying. New technology is allowing bullies access to crueler and more unusual forms of harassment. While cyberbullying can be much more troublesome than traditional forms of bullying, there are strategies of dealing with this increasing trend in teenage societal behaviors. In simple terms, cyberbullying is becoming much more of a problem than other forms of bullying. This is mainly because of how invasive it can be. Also, due to increasing reliance on internet technologies, it is becoming far more unavoidable. Newer options in computer and computer-related technologies such as email, text messaging, instant messaging, websites, social networks, and digital photography have given bullies ample material with which to torment their peers. These new technologies have further enhanced a troublesome behavior from a classically aggressive demographic.

There are many different facets of bullying. Cyberbullying is no exception to this rule. Cyberbullying can include, but is not limited to: harassment, stalking, spreading vicious rumors, and posting doctored photographs on an online forum. Cyberbullying is especially becoming a problem in schools, an area usually equipped with multiple computer labs and access to the web. While it occurs among any age group, teenagers and young adults are the common victims because insecurity tends to be the worst at that age. Also, teenagers are under a lot of pressure which can be expressed in lashing out against peers.

There are multiple reasons that cyberbullying appeals to bullies. For one, the web provides an anonymous tool with which to harass others. This works well because it takes out the aspect of personal contact, which might make bullying more difficult. It also makes such behavior difficult to track back to the perpetrators. Lastly, it is far more difficult for teachers and trusted adults to catch such behavior as it takes place in forums that adults don’t usually frequent. In addition to the anonymity and stealth allowed through the web, using such technology to bully also offers a far greater range of abuse in terms of witnesses of the abuse. The web also is much quicker than traditional methods.

Just as with traditional bullying, cyberbullying can show much deeper troubles than most assume. Such behaviors can foreshadow future violent tendencies. There are steps one can take to defend against cyberbullying. It is important, for many reasons, to be cautious and deliberate with the personal information one releases on the web. When someone limits strangers’ access to their screen-names, emails and blogs, they go one step further in reducing their exposure to harassment. When one does become a victim, a highly recommended course of action is to ignore the behavior. The harassment is usually motivated by getting a reaction from the victim, and when the bully is refused such a reaction it goes a long way to end the bullying. One can also escape such harassment by changing their emails and screen-names, or having two separate accounts–one for only close family and friends, and one for the public. If the harassment does follow the victim, there may be call for higher reactions, such as legal action.

Other recommendations for cyberbullying victims is to keep records of all the harassment, something made much easier by the technological aspect of the abuse. As with everything, one should consider backing up this information. If ignoring the bullying or changing screen-names doesn’t work, one should report the behavior to someone with the authority to help. Different law enforcement agencies have varying reactions to cyberbullying. Still, local police stations are a good place to start because they can at the very least recommend a course of action. It might also be highly relevant to include a school official, especially if the abuse is taking place from school property or through the school as a medium. Parents should consider teaching their children appropriate online decorum. They should keep up on modern technologies so they can supervise their children and so children feel that their parents are more in-touch with what might be going on. As with other things, children should be given a series of guidelines for using technology.

Personally, I think it’s very wise for parents to keep in touch with today’s technologies. New social networking sites have brought even newer rules of decorum and netiquette in the spotlight, and we as a society should act accordingly. However, there is also something to be said for allowing children to solve their problems by themselves. Teenagers especially can become very defensive if they feel their privacy has been invaded. It is important to keep good communication with younger generations without smothering them. Still, new technologies bring new problems with convenience and society (especially younger children who have never known anything but the world of Myspace and YouTube) is changing as a result.