As social network use rises among teens and adolescents, more
and more people are investigating how these new methods of
communication and socialization are affecting our children. Is
the overwhelming presence of social media hurting or helping our
kids? This is a complicated question and not one that can be
definitively answered one way or the other. However, while there
is ample research to support both sides of the debate, there is
one thing on which both sides agree: cyberbullying is a
legitimate concern and must be taken seriously. Let’s start with
a definition. Cyberbullying is “a communication or posting by
one or more people using cybertechnology or digital media
designed to hurt, threaten, embarrass, annoy, blackmail or
otherwise target another person.” Most people have experienced
some form of bullying in their lives. However, cyberbullying is
much more than the online equivalent of someone taking your
lunch money. Many people assume that face-to-face bullying
carries greater risk, but given the sen