Punishments don't prevent cyberbullying, says expert
Most cyberbullying happens between the ages of 11 and 15
A Vancouver cyberbullying researcher is urging parents to talk to their kids about online safety after an Abbotsford, B.C. teen was charged with child pornography and cyberbullying offences after being accused of targeting an 11-year-old Texas boy.
About 35 per cent of kids admit to being cyber bullies and about the same proportion admit they they are victims, according to Wanda Cassidy of SFU's faculty of education.
While extreme cases like the Abbotsford one are still rare, Cassidy says that incidents of cyberbullying in the middle- and high-school age range aren't uncommon.
She joined host Angela Sterrit on CBC's B.C. Almanac to offer parents some helpful tips to keep their kids safe online.
How can parents help?
According to Cassidy's research, most cyberbullying happens when children are between 11 and 15 years old.
Cassidy says communication is a key to preventing online bullying and recommends talking to to children before age 11 about how they can protect themselves online.
"Parents need to really be comfortable talking about these types of things," she said.
Cassidy says her research shows punishment is an ineffective way to prevent cyberbullying.
"Parents [can't] take away devices anymore. No longer is the big computer sitting in the living room, where parents can see what's going on," she said.
Cassidy notes that many cyber bullies have been bullied themselves.
"In this case in Abbotsford, my heart goes out to both the victim and the perpetrator, because I suspect that perhaps the perpetrator ... could have been a victim, or has had some issues in his life before," she said.
It's not just online
When bullying happens, it's usually not contained to one area, said Cassidy. It's important for parents to communicate with teachers to get the full picture.
"Usually bullying carries over — it's not just a home thing, it's not just a school thing, but there's a cycle of behaviour," said Cassidy.
"It's not just victim, perpetrator or parents. It's everyone."
Like any behaviour exhibited by kids, said Cassidy, it can often be traced back to the parents.
"If in the home there's a lot of bullying behaviour or joking about, 'I sent this nasty e-mail to my colleague at work, ha ha ha,' that behaviour rubs off," she said.
"Modeling is a really powerful teacher."
With files from CBC's BC Almanac
To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Punishments don't prevent cyber bullying, says expert