When I worked as a School Counselor, I regularly delivered a lesson to students and staff regarding the newest culprit endangering our young people: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when a child is negatively targeted by another child using technology. It can come in the form of harassment, threats, or humiliation through electronic mediums including text messaging, social networking sites, or email.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers parents and guardians information and resources regarding electronic aggression, a broader term that encompasses all types of violence that occurs electronically (electronic aggression is only bullying when the act is repeated).

As the CDC points out, the use of technology has many benefits for young people. Unfortunately, I have worked with many individuals who were devastated and depressed because something embarrassing was posted about them on a social networking site.

In fact, cyberbullying is just another example of why we need to be all-up-in our child’s business. Technology has allowed our children access to individuals all around the world, but what’s frightening is that individuals all around the world now have access to our children.

Fortunately it is not hard to monitor a child’s electronic communication. I suggest making if very clear to your child(ren) that they should not use technology if it means that they are doing something that they would not do in your presence. If your child has a MySpace or Facebook account, check it regularly. Utilize software programs that limit your child’s access to certain websites. Limit or remove your child’s text messaging privileges on a cell phone.

More importantly, make your presence known in your child’s life. For instance, place the family computer in a high-traffic area so that you are able to pop-in and see what the child is doing at any given time. That is a teacher’s greatest classroom management skill – his/her presence.

Remember, by being present in their lives, we offer our children the structure, support and protection that they need to have healthy and successful childhoods.

Ali Hooper is a midwestern girl livin’ in the ‘burbs with her boys (hubby, baby, puppy). She blogs about the not-so-sunny side of motherhood at non-maternal instincts, although she loves showing off pictures of her adorable son at her family blog, The Hoopers.

Photo by lulugal0870