Cyber Bullying

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Jul 21, 2009 at 6:53 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 21, 2009 at 6:53 PM MST

BILLINGS - One study estimates 30% of students are regularly bullied. It's something that can greatly affect their schoolwork and mental health.

Counselors, teachers and parents from School District Two and MSU-Billings are teaming up to learn more about bullying, so they know how to handle it.

While bullying used to take place primarily at school, educators say new technology is making it increasingly harder for students to escape bullies.

"Bullying's gone cyber," said Kim Schweikert with MSU-Billings. "When you were a kid at school and you got bullied on the playground, when you went home you were safe. Now you're not safe anymore. People can text you; they can send you messages on your computer. Pictures get sent from child to child, rumors start and it gets big very fast."

Educators said this type of bullying can affect students in many ways. "If a student's going to learn to their best potential, they need to feel good about where they are," said Scott Anderson, the Director of Secondary Education for SD2. "If they come to school and they feel bullied, obviously they're going to be reflecting on that and waiting for that to happen and not engaged in exploring their own potential for learning."

In addition to affecting grades, experts said cyber bullying is leading to an increase in suicides among middle school students. There are ways to help. Experts said parents should watch out for mood and personality changes.

"The most important thing is just to know your child and understand what's happening with them, listening and caring and letting them tell you what's happening," Anderson said.

The conference will continue Tuesday morning with a presentation from a father who's son committed suicide after being bullied.

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CinderellaMT said on Monday, Jul 20 at 11:05 PM

Dana thank you for commenting. You family is not alone. When you have a child that has expirienced the bullying, you no longer turn a blind eye.

Dana said on Monday, Jul 20 at 10:44 PM

We are dealing with in our family in another community. My niece has been continously harrassed by other kids and she has tried to commit suicide too.

the family said on Monday, Jul 20 at 9:15 PM

I think this is funny. It's as simple as closing the window on your computer or deleting the text. Why make a big deal about shallow words? People these days need to toughen up a bit.

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