OMAHA, Neb. -- A Millard elementary school is warning parents about "cyber bullying," and there are lessons for every person with a child.
This month's newsletter from Kiewit Middle Schools notes how students are using chat rooms, e-mails and text messages to humiliate and intimate others. Bullying has evolved from a shove in the hallway or whispers on the way to class. Cyber bullying is a new outlet for name-calling, gossip and threats. Many incidents lead to acts of violence on and around school campuses.
"I have been bullied ever since I had a screen name," said Laura, a victim of cyber bulling. Laura is 17 and a high school junior. "I've been called a bitch. I've had people threaten me," she said.
Laura said that for her, cyber bullying has included rumors about her spread through instant messaging. She said there are Web sites created by teenagers where others can post comments. Thousands with ties to the Omaha metro are online. The language is harsh, mean -- even threatening.
When not on the Internet, cyber bullies use text messaging to intimidate by cell phone.
"I think cyber bullying is more than half of the bullying we're dealing with," said Emily Strawn, who is researching cyber bullying for a school project along with partner Kelly Stone. "The girls are catty. They'll go online and send, like -- name-calling is a big problem with the girls. 'She's a slut. She's a whore. Look at what she wore today.'"
"It creates a huge problem, because, say there's a problem between two people," Stone said. "It can spread to the whole group of friends. You can bring it to school."
How quickly and how far can a rumor spread? Last week, a few students told the Papillion-La Vista South High School principal that they heard someone was bringing a gun to school. By the next morning, more than 300 students stayed home from class. Officials said the rumors spread out of control through chatting on the Internet and through cell phones.
In most cases, the gossip is very personal. "It's really, really hard," Laura said. "And it's hard to face the people at school. I've been to where I haven't wanted to come to school because of it." Laura said it's gotten so bad, she's trying to transfer schools and she's been through counseling.
"You can't do anything about it other than maybe tell the school, and the school will get involved, but the school can't do anything when it's out of school," Laura said.
YWCA speaker Nancy Besack said cyber bullying can push teens to extremes. "It is so bad, many people have become suicidal," Besack said.
Besack travels to schools to speak to students about cyber bullying. For teens who are being bullied, she said, the best way to fight back is to document chatting and messages, then turn to parents, who can take potential threats to police.
"They get out there, they feel like they're out in space, no one can touch them, no one can punish them, they may even feel anonymous," Besack said of cyber bullies.
In some cases, bullies can be traced and punished by school officials and law enforcement. Besack said that fellow students can help by stepping up and asking the bully to stop.
It is that message that Stone and Strawn want to deliver in their anti-bullying rally for the kids at their school. The Papillion-La Vista district has spread Stone and Strawn's anti-bullying campaign districtwide, from elementary schools to the other high school in the district.
"We know we're not going to stop the whole thing, but if we get awareness out there, it could make a difference," Stone said.
Laura attended the rally. She said that simply knowing she's not alone helps. "It really got to a lot of people. You could tell it's happening to a lot more than just you or me or two other people," Laura said.
Cyber bullying that's reported can lead to suspensions or even expulsion in school. According to law enforcement, cyber bullies could be cited or arrested for anything from harassment to terroristic threats to assault.
Many districts are taking proactive approaches to the problem to control the attacks outside of school. In the Millard newsletter, school officials recommended that parents monitor and stay involved with their kids when they are on the Internet. Omaha Public School is offering cyber bullying awareness training for teachers.
