Teenagers and the internet

Image by ecstaticist via FlickrThe internet can be useful in many ways, but one of the challenges we face today is what to do about "cyberbullying"

A survey from 2006 shows that:

• 42 percent of kids have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once
• 35 percent of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five had had it happen more than once.
• 21 percent of kids have received mean or threatening e-mails or other messages.
• 58 percent of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than once.

The fact that the internet often allows people anonymity often frees them from normative and social constraints on their behavior. Furthermore, cyber-bullies might be bolder when using electronic means to carry out their bullying because it takes less energy and courage to express hurtful comments on the internet than face to face with a person.

PBS frontline tell the story of Ryan, a 13 year old boy who killed himself because of cyberbullying.

Is cyberbullying a common problem, and if so, what can we do to prevent it?