Kia Kaha evolves to beat the Cyber bully

BETTY HANSON, a Youth Education Officer based in Christchurch is taking a fresh look at strategies to deal with cyber bullying. This follows a conference on Cybercitizenship hosted by Netsafe, which took place in Queenstown last month.

“Today’s children and young people are growing up in a world that is very different from that of most adults,” says Betty. “Many young people experience the internet and mobile phones as a positive, productive and creative part of their world; always on and always there. Technology supports social networking that allows young people to connect to their peers 24/7.

“Unfortunately, technologies are also being used negatively. When children and young people are the target of bullying via mobiles phones or the internet, they can feel alone and very misunderstood.

They may not be able to identify that what is happening to them is a form of bullying, or be confident that the adults around them will understand it that way either.

“Children may not report the incident to an adult in case their internet use is stopped. The consequences of this bullying not being reported can have far-reaching effects on the child or young person,” says Betty.

Betty says, "Officers will treat reports of bullying seriously. The victim and/or offender are often children who, may not legally responsible for their actions, but should be held accountable through youth aid officers,” she says.

"When the bullying is intimidating, threatening, harassing, sexually obscene, may include a hoax, scam or misrepresentation or contravenes a protection or restraining order or contains other seriously disturbing content, the perpetrator should be spoken to regardless of their age."

The Kia Kaha programme being delivered in schools by Youth Education Officers will be revised and updated with strategies for coping with Cyber bullying. For further information contact your local Youth Education Officer.