Punishments don't prevent cyberbullying, says expert

A Vancouver cyberbullying researcher is urging parents to talk to their kids about online safetyafter anAbbotsford, B.C.teen waschargedwith child pornography and cyberbullying offences after being accused of targeting an 11-year-old Texasboy.

About 35 per cent of kids admit to being cyber bullies and about the same proportion admit theythey are victims, according to WandaCassidy of SFU'sfaculty of education.

While extreme cases like theAbbotsfordone are still rare,Cassidysays that incidents of cyberbullying in the middle- and high-school age range aren't uncommon.

She joined host Angela Sterrit on CBC's B.C. Almanacto offer parents some helpful tips to keep their kids safe online.

How can parents help?

According to Cassidy's research, most cyberbullying happens when children are between11 and 15 years old.

Cassidysays communication is a key to preventing online bullying and recommends talkingto tochildren before age 11about how they can protect themselves online.

"Parents need to really be comfortable talking about these types of things," she said.

Cassidy says herresearch showspunishment is an ineffective way to prevent cyberbullying.

"Parents [can't] take away devices anymore.No longer is the big computer sitting in the living room, where parents can see what's going on," she said.

Cassidy notes that many cyber bullies have been bullied themselves.

"In this case inAbbotsford, my heart goes out to boththe victim and the perpetrator, because I suspect that perhaps the perpetrator ...could have been a victim, or has had some issues in his life before," she said.

It's not just online

When bullying happens, it's usually not contained to one area, said Cassidy. It's important for parents to communicate with teachers to get the full picture.

"Usually bullying carries over it's not just a home thing, it's not just a school thing, but there's a cycle of behaviour," saidCassidy.

"It's not just victim, perpetrator orparents. It'severyone."

Like any behaviour exhibited by kids, said Cassidy, it can often be traced back tothe parents.

"If in the homethere's a lot of bullying behaviour or joking about, 'Isent this nasty e-mail to my colleague at work, ha ha ha,' that behaviour rubs off," she said.

"Modeling is a really powerful teacher."

With files from CBC's BC Almanac

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled:Punishments don't prevent cyber bullying, says expert