In response to the growing problem of cyber bullying in the District and in the community, FHN Guidance held a Cyber bullying informational meeting on Oct. 26. The meeting featured many mediums through which counselors educated the public about cyber bullying, how to prevent it and the District’s policy regarding the practice.

“[Cyber bullying] it’s considered any harm inflicted through cell phones and computers,” Guidance Counselor Joyce Barker said.

The meeting started off with an introduction by Crisis Counselor Mary Kerr-Grant, followed with a 20 minute video about the victims of cyber bullying. In one example, a girl talked about her experience with cyber bullying and the alienation she felt at her new school. The meeting addressed means by which to avoid cyber bullying- don’t respond, block them and tell someone- and ways to deal with the problems.

“[The goal of the meeting was] to inform parents and students on what cyber bullying is and how it needs to be handled,” Barker said.

The meeting aimed to inform people on how to deal with cyber bullying. People present were told that the problem can be taken care of automatically and were taught to recognize the signs of cyber bullying in others. These signs can range from a change in personality to an increased isolation.

“When it’s reported to us, we act upon it and it is investigated by the principals or officers, whoever needs to be involved,” Barker said.

There are consequences for people who cyber bully others. The bully can be arrested and taken to trial if it comes to the involvement of the police, based on the provisions outlined in the “Megan Meier Law”. This law, passed by the Missouri Congress in 2008, addresses cyber bullying in adolescence. If the bully is a student and the school handles it, suspension is the most likely punishment. The ease of use and the lack of physical confrontation is what has made this type of bullying so popular among teens.

“I don’t know if it’s the most common [type of bullying], it is more popular, it is the ease of it,” Barker said.

By Katy Toebben