By KEOSHA JOHNSON
Observer Staff

Bullying has moved beyond the classroom. Now, thanks to the interactive features of the Internet, bullies have taken their threats online. ‘Cyberbullying,’ a term used for children harassing each other online, has reached new levels.

Cyberbullying ranges from sending threatening messages online or through text messaging, to posting insulting comments about someone on a Web site, according to cyberbully experts Sameer Hinduja of Florida Atlantic University and Justin W. Patchin of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

An example of the public service advertisements from the National Crime Prevention Council that are being used to raise awareness (Used for illustration only). View other banners here.

A 2005 study by the cyberbully experts surveyed over 1400 students. Sixty-eight percent of students said they have experienced cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying does not target one type of person over another—it crosses all racial and gender lines, according to the study. Most reports of the online harassment occurred in chat rooms and through text messages.

Schools and government agencies are aware of the negative trend, and have taken measures to prevent cyberbullying. Fairfax County Public Schools in
Virginia are giving district-wide training to school counselors on how to recognize behavioral signs in children and young adults, both as being aggressors or victims of cyberbullying.

State government officials have also joined the fight against cyberbullying.

Sen. Craig M. Johnson, D-N.Y., toured elementary and middle schools throughout his district on Monday to talk to students about the growing problem.

Several campaigns have recently been created to spread awareness of the issue. The National Crime Prevention Council has taken their campaign to the airwaves, showing television commercials in an effort to prevent cyberbullying. They also offer a list of the warning signs of cyberbullying on their Web site.