Cyberbullying affects one in five teens and is quickly becoming one of the most unfortunate consequences of the media age. The rise of social networking combined with the increasingly pervasive nature of the Internet has created a concerning new form of bullying, one which kids can’t escape by leaving the schoolyard.

Dr. Sameer Hinduja of the Cyberbullying Research Center agreed to answer a few of our questions regarding about how parents can recognize and deal with the problem.

How can parents know if their child is being cyberbullied?

The most obvious sign involves a marked change in the adolescent’s computer habits. Students may suddenly stop using the computer or overtly refuse when asked to do something online. If a child has been known to go on the computer every day at school but then unexpectedly goes several days without logging on, this change of behavior may signal an underlying problem. In addition, if a student appears nervous when a new e-mail or instant message arrives or seems extraordinarily angry, upset, or depressed, especially when using the computer, those emotions may signal a cyberbullying incident.

How is cyberbullying different from normal bullying?

This is tough stuff. First, victims often do not know who the bully is. The cyberbully can cloak his or her identity behind a computer or cell phone using anonymous email addresses or screen names. Second, the hurtful actions of a cyberbully are viral; that is, the whole school could be involved in a cyber-attack on a victim, or find out about the incident with a few keystrokes. The perception is absolutely everyone knows about it. This can make life unbearable for the victim.

Come back tomorrow for advice on what to do for a child that is involved in cyberbullying.

Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., is the co-founder of the Cyberbullying Research Center, an information clearinghouse on the topic including a blog, research, presentations, and downloadable publications.

Filed under: Internet Safety News