HEALTH TIPS: Electronic aggression

Health Tip – Audio Version – “Electronic aggression”
Health Tip – Healthy Next Step – New Technology and Youth Violence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

It’s new media, but this probably doesn’t count as progress. A kid can now threaten another kid by texting.

That’s a form of what’s called electronic aggression. It’s all the old stuff – teasing, being rude, lying about people, mocking them, or threatening – occurring through new technology.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been looking into the problem. CDC officials say a lot is not yet known. But researcher Marci Hertz says being a victim can hurt some kids:

“For example, they’re more likely to get detention, to skip school, to be suspended, have behavioral problems, and experience distress as a result of their victimization.’’

Hertz’s colleague Corinne Ferdon says parents can do a lot to deal with electronic aggression. Parents should talk with their children about their technology use and connect with others to develop solutions.

Health Tip courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last revised: January, 24 2008