Cyberbullying

TeensHealth Safe Surfing Tips for Teens lauds the Internet as a great source of information, but warns teens to “protect yourself while you surf.”

It offers the following advice on cyberbullying:

“It's not just strangers who can make you feel uncomfortable online. Cyberbullying is a word that refers to cruel or bullying messages sent to you online. These might be from former friends or other people you know. They can be irritating and, in some cases, even frightening.

If you get these bullying messages online, it's often better to ignore them rather than answer them. Cyberbullies, just like other bullies, may be angry or disturbed people - and may be looking for attention or a reaction.
Fortunately, most people never experience cyberbullying. But if you're getting cyberbullied and ignoring it doesn't make it go away, getting help from a parent, school counselor, or another trusted adult may be a good idea. That's especially true if the cyberbullying contains threats.”