Cyber bullying and sexting are closer than you think, possibly even as close as your teen's phone!
Innisfail RCMP Const. Chris Lavery is tackling the topic head on, and has been surprised at the response he has gotten.
“During some of the presentations to, we have given so far to St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and Innisfail middle, junior and senior high students from grades 7 to 10, we have either gotten the ‘deer in the headlight' look, or a knowing look that tells us we are on the right track,” said Lavery.
Cyber bullying is defined as the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group that is intended to harm others. In recent years, extreme cyber bullying has led to highly public suicide and suicide attempts, which have prompted intense lobbying and legislative attention.
Sexting is a recent phenomenon (since the early 2000s) that involves the act of sending sexually explicit messages and/or photographs, primarily between mobile phones.
“During the classroom sessions on cyber bullying and sexting, I ask the kids a lot of questions,” Lavery said. “One question that I do ask is if any of the students have been bullied, or have bullied anyone. By the end of every class, all hands are up for one or the other. By making students aware of the consequences of their actions, we can change their attitudes.”
“Another aspect of these cyber threats is that this generation is the first to have to deal with it. When we grew up, there was no such technology, and we often said and did things that would be considered bullying,” Lavery added. “With these kids, once they send that photo or threat, they no longer have control of where it goes, or how long it stays there. Thirty years from now, those poor decisions might come back to haunt them. Even deleting the electronic message will not solve the problem; deletion is not forever.”
Lavery pointed out that to date, there have been no incidents of cyber bullying in Innisfail, and that his concern is to educate and make students aware of a growing problem. He added that some students have realized that they had crossed the fine line in the past, and once they realized what they were part of during class, the seriousness of the behaviour set in.
“My goal in teaching these sessions is to raise awareness of these issues before the students encounter them. Both sexting and cyber bullying have long-term consequences. If we can help them make good decisions, we have done our job,” Lavery said.
Cyber bullying and sexting are growing problems that parents and teens should be aware of. For more information contact www.cyberbullying.ca, your local school counsellor, or RCMP detachment liaison officer.
