By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Managing Editor PINE RIDGE — Cyber bullying is on the rise across the country and many are concerned with the impact that it is having on Native American youth. Cyber Bullying is defined by the federal government’s StopBullying.gov as bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of Cyber bullying have included harassing emails, texts, Facebook postings and have begun to expand in to other social media outlets. “Honestly, nearly all of the campus issues that arise can be traced back to cyber bullying, or other cyber related activities. Most of it is coming from females. We also see a lot of Moms, Aunties, or other family members pretty heavily involved with the cyber bullying. One of the newer forms we are seeing is with snap chat. The thing now is to take pics of people in the restroom, locker room and send to the rest of the school. Sadly, I'm not sure a day goes by I don’t have a student in my office over this,” said Matt Remle, a freelance journalist and school counselor who works with Native students. Traditional forms of bullying were sometimes escapable for kids, but with the reliance on technology for everything from educational purposes to accountability with parents many youth are faced with constant pressure from bullies. “Typically it happens over and over again. Cyber bullying has longer lasting effects than traditional bullying. Anyone can be a bully on line and this type of bullying doesn't end once school is over. Cyber bullying can occur 24/7. It’s also difficult to prevent, said “Tiny” Decory who works with multiple child advocacy groups on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. “The major difference between traditional bullying and cyber bullying is the ability to bully without a face to face confrontation. The greatest long-term effect of cyber bullying is the loss of the home as a SAFE zone. Cyber bullying enters into the homes and is with the victim at all times. Traditional bullying usually ends when a person is home and safe with their families,” Decory said. Cyberbullying messages and images have also raised alarm due to the ability of individuals to post anonymously and with the expansion of social media these forms of communication can be distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can at times be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the sources and deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent. The impacts of the cyber bullying have been well documented. Studies have shown that kids who are bullied are more likely to use drugs, skip school, and inflict harm upon themselves. For children on the reservation the risk of suicide also increases amongst those who are bullied. “Cyber bullying is out of hand. You are able to hide behind the screen and say horrible things to a person or about a person and hit the send button. The effects cause harm to those being bullied to the point where they want to do further harm to themselves by doing self-harm of cutting, burning or suicide. It is more harmful than traditional bullying. Almost 50 % of teens have been harassed online. 71% of youth receive messages from strangers online and 30%of youth think about meeting those strangers face-to-face. Cyber bullying is usually not a onetime communication, unless it involves a death threat or a threat of serious harm,” said Decory. In order to help prevent cyber bullying stopbullying.gov recommends that parents, teachers, and anyone else working with young people to instruct them on the dangers of the internet, establish strict guidelines for use and to monitor the activity of children as much as possible. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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