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Shelley Osterloh ReportingChildhood bullying has been around for generations, but today's technology has taken bullying to a whole new level. Officials in Utah's largest school district are taking action to stop it.
It's now called cyber bullying -- computer email, chat rooms, even cell phones have become a new nasty tool for bullies. It's a problem the Utah Attorney General is wants to educate parents about. It's become such a problem, the Jordan School district is adding bullying to its existing student discipline policy.
Research suggests that bullying is most common in Middle School. As kids get to high school there is less bullying, but it is meaner and more vicious.
Tonight at community meeting, Utah Attorney Mark Shurtleff will warn kids and parents about the dangers of bullying, with the help of a video.
Video: "The got a picture of someone else from an adult website and photo shopped my class picture headshot on I. I guess then they wrote, 'I will do anything to fulfill your fantasies come true,' and signed my name. Since it came from my account, everybody thought I really sent it. Now I can't go anywhere at school without guys looking at me funny and people whispering, and pointing at me when I can't see."
Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General: "Bullying is a horrific problem. The number of kids who don't want to go to school who every day hate going because they know they know that they're going to teased and picked on and pushed."
The Jordan School District's new policy defines bullying as aggressive behavior that may include teasing harassment threats and insults that are physical, verbal, non-verbal and cyber bullying.
School district officials say kids who are bullied may develop other problems.
Cal Evans, Exec. Dir. of Compliance, Jordan School District: "Lower level esteem, lower grades, more depressive kinds of issues, and yeah it's very serious issue. And that's why including it in a policy also raises kids awareness that is okay to tell your teachers that you are being bullied, because something will be done about it."
Jordan's policy on bullying must still be adopted by the district board of education.
If you would like to learn more about cyber bullying and other threats that face teens today, like internet pornography, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is speaking tonight at Alta High School at 7 pm.
