Bullying is bad enough in its traditional forms: verbal slurs thrown at students by their peers in the hallways, hurtful rumors spread to be vindictive, and even, at times, physical shoving or intimidation.  In the past few years, however, bullying has taken a new turn with the advent and popularity of the internet and other online spaces, such as instant messenger services.  Numerous news stories have reported the tactics used by these online bullies.  From webpages devoted to unpopular students, to anonymous hurtful or threatening email, to unwanted advances through instant messaging, online harassment is beginning to reveal an ugly trend of the new school bully.
 
Why this form?  Many suggest the relative anonymity that the web provides as the reason for this new form of bullying.  Anonymity allows those bullies to be more scathing, hurtful and offensive with a lessened chance that they will actually be caught and reprimanded.  And unless the bully makes real and intended threats or repeatedly and personally harasses a student, those that are caught usually cannot be punished by the school or through criminal law; most of this sort of bullying does not take place at school, and therefore, the students are not under its jurisdiction, and as distasteful as they are, websites that contain hurtful material are covered under the First Amendment. 
 
It is this anonymity, however, that pushes online bullying beyond its traditional form.  Because students who are being bullied in this way do not know who or how many others are behind this bullying, the fear and embarrassment that develops can be magnified.  This heightened anxiety can encourage victims of bullying to avoid school and withdraw from all social interaction, in potentially more drastic ways than with traditional bullying. 
 
Because schools have no jurisdiction over what their students do outside of school grounds school administrations are often at a loss for how to deter or address it.  This type of bullying seems to be most potent in middle school and early high school.  Teaching younger children to avoid this behavior when they grow up is essential, but it is never to late to address the problem with older students. 
 
How does one start?  Character education is inherently conducive to addressing harassment issues such as bullying (see “Bullying: Breaking the Cycle with Character Education at http://www.imakenews.com/psla/e_article000097591.cfm for project ideas), and by association, online bullying.  Project and discussion group ideas, such as Cyber Smart!: Dealing with Online Bullies (http://cybersmartcurriculum.org/lesson_plans/68_04.asp) are a good way to start.  In this discussion-based activity, middle school students “discuss the rewards of going into cyberspace, describe and compare comfortable and uncomfortable feelings, and identify strategies for responsibly dealing with online bullies.”  The project approaches the problem of bullies by taking a proactive approach, focusing on responsible ways to deal with bullies while emphasizing the unfairness of bullies’ actions.  
 
Approaching your class about bullying should be done in a similar manner, balancing practical and positive ways to deter and respond to bullying, while discouraging potential bullies from harassing others.  Reflection activities about bullying, character strengthening exercises and service-learning projects that emphasize acceptance of differences and patience with others can all aid in this endeavor.  While you will most likely not be able to directly address instances of online bullying, since they are often hidden from the school’s eye, you will be able to give those who have experienced bullying in any manner the tools with which to stand up and take action against such behavior.  Ultimately, your students will have a better sense of personal worth and the knowledge and skills to deal with in-school and out-of-school harassment.
 
News stories about this trend:
 
“Cyber Slammed”
http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2001/07/03/cyber_bullies/
 
“New Trend Against LGBT Youth: Cyber Bullying”
http://www.glsen.org/templates/news/record.html?section=12&record=1492
 
“New Breed of Bullies Torment Their Peers on the Internet”
http://edweek.org/ew/ew_printstory.cfm?slug=21cyberbully.h22
 
Resources for students and teachers about bullying:
 
Cyber Smart!: Dealing with Online Bullies lesson planhttp://cybersmartcurriculum.org/lesson_plans/68_04.asp
 
Anti-Bully Crisis Hotline—a toll-free number that students can use to talk with a trustworthy person about bullying
http://www.applesforhealth.com/antibully2.html
 
Safe Child—webpage that addresses bullying and how to combat it
http://www.safechild.org/
 
Cyberbullies
http://www.successunlimimted.co.uk/related/cyber.htm