Is Your Child the Victim of an Internet Bully?

Remember the days when a child bully's domain was limited to the streets or the school yard? Back then, cuts and bruises were the telltale scars of a victim's encounter with an abuser. These days, your child is just as likely to be tormented by a bully's use of the family's home computer. In cyberspace, the scars are not nearly as evident but the psychic damage is just as great.

Cyberbullying is the use of a computer or other electronic messaging devices such as cell phones, instant messaging and text messaging to send or post cruel, harmful or harassing messages about someone. A recent poll indicates that 13 million children in the United States aged 6 to 17 have been victims of cyberbullying. The problem is so severe, in fact, that the nation's law enforcement community is urging Congress to enact anti-bullying legislation to help schools establish their own preventative programs.

So what should you do if you know or suspect that your child has been victimized over the internet or through some other form of electronic communication? Here's what the leading experts say you can do to protect your child:

- encourage your child to report any bullying. According to a recent survey, 30 percent of preteens and more than 50 percent of teens do not report bullying to their parents or other authorities. In fact, according to a recent study, teens are more likely to talk to a friend. Keeping the family computer in a common area such as the den or family room may encourage a child to show you any disturbing messages that arise.

- be vigilant. Of particular concern is a recent Harris poll commissioned by the National Crime Prevention Council, indicating that teens' parents are less aware of their children's online activities than the parents of younger children. Consider signing up for a Google alert that will notify you if your child's name or image appears on a Web site. Google alerts are easy to create. Just click on www.google.com/alerts for more information.