Past Programs
Media, Information and Communication - 2008
We're watching you ....
20/01/2008
Bullying in school populations has long presented a challenge to parents, teachers and, of course, to long-suffering victims. These days, as a reflection of the availability of information technology, and young people's expertise in using it, bullying is more likely to be conducted through text messages or via the internet.
Cyber bullying has taken off in a big way, with a recent survey revealing that 42% of girls between the ages of 12 and 15 have been on the receiving end of destructive mail. It's particularly insidious because often tormentors can disguise or hide their identity - allowing them extra licence to wreak emotional havoc on their victim. And girls apparently are more likely to be involved in cyber bullying than boys.
In 'We're watching you' we hear from three 15-year-old girls (a victim and two girls who were caught red-handed), a mother, a high school teacher, and author Kate McCaffrey, whose recently published book Destroying Avalon traces one girl's chilling experience with cyber bullying.
