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Richard Piatt ReportingUtah's attorney general is spearheading the fight against a high tech threat to young people -- Cyber bullying. The problem is more widespread than a lot of adults think.
Imagine the mean, hateful things kids say. Now imagine it on a website, e-mail or text message. It's a growing bullying tactic and it's even affecting the lives of kids younger than 11.
Parents are familiar with the problem of bullying on the playground. It's been tough to stop over the years. Cyber bullying even more personal and private. The bully is often unknown, but the words in an instant message, e-mail, or text message can pack a real punch, especially over time.
Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General: "Bullying goes beyond school. It happens on the way home. It happens once we're home."
If you're a parent, ask your kids about cyber bullies. Chances are they know about hateful messages out there.
A national crime prevention group surveyed a thousand young people, finding a third of teens 12-17 report getting a threatening, or harassing electronic message. Perhaps more disturbing is that one-sixth of children ages 6 to 11 reported the same thing.
Kylie Kenney is smiling today, but she was hounded by text messages a year ago. Word of a website spread through her school, accusing her of being a lesbian---ominously saying, Kylie must die.
Kylie Kenney, Cyber Bullying Victim: "No one should have to go through this. It was awful. I lost two years of my education. I lost a lot of friends, and really had the support of just my family."
Like physical bullying, a lot of kids won't tell anyone what's going on. Those kids need help.
Mark Shurtleff, Utah Attorney General: "Today we want to encourage, urge, as law enforcement officials, for schools to develop comprehensive bullying programs, and to include this new phenomenon of cyber bullying."
Kylie Kenney, Cyber Bully Victim: "I tried to get away from it and it got to the point that I just stayed home with my family."
The Attorney General was in Washington DC to boost publicity of the cyber bullying problem.
