Parents Against the InternetParents Against the Internet

• A 23 country meta-analysis indicated a relationship between cyber bullying and emotional distress and depression (Ybarra, Alexander, & Mitchell, 2005).

• A survey of children between the ages of 10 to 17 years of age and one caregiver revealed that youth with depressive symptoms are more at risk of becoming online targets of strangers compared to asymptomatic youth (Ybarra, Alexander, & Mitchell, 2005).

The Alliance for Childhood warns parents to be vigilant about the potential harm from computers (Alliance, n.d.).

According to the Surgeon General, this generation of children is the most sedentary, which predisposes them to “…repetitive stress injuries, eyestrain, obesity, social isolation, and, for some, long-term damage to physical, emotional, or intellectual development” (Alliance,

n.d., ¶ 2).

The Alliance suggests the public be made aware of the “real” needs that children have in school. (Alliance, n. d.).

A Sad Note…A Sad Note…

In 2006, 13 year-old Megan Meier hung herself after receiving mean-spirited messages over the internet. Megan had attention deficit disorder and suffered from depression.

Her story began when she started a correspondence with an imaginary boy named “Josh.”

As Megan built up an online relationship with “Josh,” the correspondence began to turn mean (Collins, 2008).

"Josh" informed Megan he no longer wanted to be friends and told Megan the world would be better off without her.

Shortly thereafter, Megan’s mother found her hanging in her bedroom. She died the next day.

The sad note? There was no boy named “Josh.”

“Josh” was created in a MySpace page by a neighbor woman who believed Megan may have spread rumors about her daughter (Collins, 2008).

Psychological Distress Related to Cyber bullying…Psychological Distress Related to Cyber bullying…Psychological Distress Related to Cyber bullying…Psychological Distress Related to Cyber bullying…

What Parents Should Watch For:What Parents Should Watch For:

Are your children experiencing behavior changes? Are your children experiencing behavior changes?

• DepressionDepression

• MoodinessMoodiness

• WithdrawalWithdrawal

• Sadness Sadness (Juvonen & Gross, 2008)

Children with depressive personalities are more at risk for being targeted for online cyber-bullying and harassment.

Symptoms for parents to be aware of:

• Less social or withdrawn• Fewer, strained, or distant social relationships• Decreased concentration• Decreased interpersonal problem-solving skills

(Futoran, Ward-Schofield, & Eurich-Fulcer, 1995)(Futoran, Ward-Schofield, & Eurich-Fulcer, 1995)

1.1. Talk to children about Internet safety.Talk to children about Internet safety.

2.2. Limit hours of home Internet access.Limit hours of home Internet access.

3.3. Be sure that children at school are supervised during Be sure that children at school are supervised during use of school equipment and that use is school use of school equipment and that use is school related.related.

4.4. Monitor text-messaging.Monitor text-messaging.

5.5. Know who the children’s friends are, who they are Know who the children’s friends are, who they are meeting, and where they are going.meeting, and where they are going.

(Futoran, Ward-Schofield, & Eurich-Fulcer, 1995)(Futoran, Ward-Schofield, & Eurich-Fulcer, 1995)

ReferencesClark-Futoran, G., Ward-Schofield, J., & Eurich-Fulcer, R. (1995). The Internet as a K-12

educational resource: Emerging issues of information access and freedom. Computers

Education 24(3), 229-236.

Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. F. (2008). Extending the school grounds?—Bullying experiences in

cyberspace. Journal of School Health 78(9), 496-505.

Ybarra, M. L., Alexander, C., & Mitchell, K. J. (2005). Depressive symptomatology, youth

Internet use, and online interactions: A national survey. Journal of Adolescent Health 36,

9-18.

Ybarra, M. L., Mitchell, K. J., Finkelhor, D., & Wolak, J. (2007, February). Internet prevention

messages: Targeting the right online behaviors. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

161(2), 138-145. Retrieved June 1, 2009, from Journal of American Medicine Archives Web

page: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/161/2/138