Researchers and politicians take closer look at cyberbullying

By Staff Writer

Digital forms of harassment - through technologies such as the Internet and text messaging - have gained national attention recently because of a string of student suicides in the U.S. This alarming trend has prompted researchers at the University of Arizona's Frances McClelland Institute to research cyberbullying.

According to UANews.org, the institute has received $612,000 in grants for its research project, which will examine adolescent aggression and victimization through digital media. The study will be the first in the U.S. to gauge the long-term effects of cyberbullying. Experts will analyze both children's and their parents' use of various technologies. The results will be used as an educational tool for teachers and families.

In previous studies, cyberbullying has been associated with excessive use of certain technologies. Researchers from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered that children who overuse cell phones and spend too much time on social networking sites may develop unhealthy behaviors such as cyberbullying, according to American Medical News. The study, which was presented at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting on November 9, linked overuse of technology to bullying, sexual activity and underage drinking.

In the report, excessive texting was defined as sending more than 120 text messages per day, while overabundant networking was considered to be more than three hours on social websites each day. In a survey of more than 4,200 high school students, about one in five respondents reported excessive texting. Based on the answers of other survey questions, the excessive texters were three times more likely to have had sex than those who sent fewer messages, as well as two times more likely to have consumed alcohol.

Participants who overused social networking websites were two times more likely to have been a victim of cyberbullying and to have attempted suicide.

In an attempt to curb the amount of cyberbullying, concerned citizens are urging politicians and law enforcement officials to enforce tougher laws against the harmful behavior. According to The Providence Journal, educators and students in Rhode Island recently discussed the problem with state legislators. At a special meeting, a high school principal told state Senators that cyberbullying has reached "epidemic proportions across the nation."

The school suggested that lawmakers explore a statewide bullying policy that would restrict social networking in certain settings and penalize parents who assist their children in acts of bullying, according to the news provider.

Meanwhile, a New Jersey school district recently launched an anti-cyberbullying campaign that will involve more than 10,000 students. According to the New Jersey Star Ledger, K-12 students will participate in a series of workshops and activities during the course of the academic year. Projects will also be offered to teachers, administrators and parents.

The news provider reports that middle school students in Ney Jersey have already participated in one event, which was curated by the group "Generation Text." When group co-founder Jill Brown asked an audience of nine and 10-year olds who had a cell phone, more than 75 percent of the students raised their hands. With younger students having access to technology, schools are hoping to educate kids about safe and respectful use of cell phone and social websites.

According to an iSafe.org survey, 35 percent of children have been threatened while using the Internet, while nearly 20 percent have had it happen to them more than once. Nearly 60 percent of respondents said that they had not told their parents or an adult about a threat or a mean comment that was directed toward them online.