The bully in 1950 used to be able to take a kid’s lunch money, give him a black eye, and sneer at him in the hallways. It wasn’t something for a kid to look forward to, but at least it could be anticipated. There are different routes to walk. But the new bullies don’t play by the same rules. Cyberbullies sink in their teeth anonymously and have a much graver effect. A whole new problem is on the rise with cases of suicide in young people as a result of cyberbullying. Currently, only a handful of states, all in the Northeast, have laws against cyberbullying.
Bullying is a problem, but groups like The Bullying Academy Students in the Know Foundation, whose website can be viewed at www.studentsintheknow.org, who debuted their program at the 2011 ISTE conference in Philadelphia, have launched a web-based interactive program that will help 4th-8th graders recognize cyberbullies for what they are and teach them to respond properly. With statistics showing that 1 in 4 kids are abused by other kids and with increasing levels of cyber cruelty, education on bullying is becoming an ever greater need.
