CDC Regarding "Electronic Aggression": Emerging Adolescent Health Issue

OceanAnnie

I guess I have a thing against
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http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ElectronicAggression/

Young people who are victims of electronic aggression, such as posting of embarrassing photos and chat room harassment, may be at higher risk for behavioral problems such using alcohol, receiving school suspension, or experiencing in–person victimization.

Aggression is no longer limited to the school yard. Young people are using new media technology, including cell phones, personal data assistants, and the Internet, to communicate with others in the United States and throughout the world. New communication avenues, such as text messaging, chat rooms, and social networking Web sites (e.g., MySpace and Facebook), have allowed young people to easily develop relationships, some with people they have never met in person.

New technology has many potential benefits for youth. It allows young people to communicate with family and friends on a regular basis. New technology also provides opportunities for teens and preteens that have difficulty developing friendships in traditional social settings to make rewarding social connections. In addition, regular Internet access allows young people to quickly increase their knowledge on a wide variety of topics.
Action Steps

However, the recent explosion in technology does not come without possible risks. Youth can use electronic media to embarrass, harass or threaten their peers. Many different terms-such as cyberbullying, Internet harassment, and Internet bullying have been used to describe this type of violence; however, electronic aggression is the term that most accurately captures all types of violence that occur electronically. Increasing numbers of teens and preteens are becoming victims of this new form of violence. Like traditional forms of youth violence, electronic aggression is associated with emotional distress and conduct problems at school.

* School administrators can create a positive school atmosphere by talking with students and staff, providing training if needed, and developing policies, programs and a plan, to effectively address electronic aggression.
* Parents/caregivers can communicate with their children about technology; together they can develop rules about safe and acceptable behavior to prevent becoming victims. For years parents and caregivers have been asking their children where they go and who they are going with when they leave the house. They should ask these same questions when their child goes online. Exploring the Internet together provides insight to beneficial online activities; helps keep parents and caregivers up-to-date about their child’s activities, and may help reduce risk associated with aggression. Communicating with other parents and with school officials creates a stronger, more unified approach to electronic aggression.


More Information:

# Journal of Adolescent HealthExternal Web Site Icon This special issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health contains 10 articles summarizing the data and recommendations from researchers and practitioners who are working on the issue of electronic aggression.
# Electronic Media and Youth Violence: A CDC Issue Brief For Educators and Caregivers
# Technology and Youth: Protecting your Child from Electronic Aggression

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We were just discussing this very thing on a Facebook thread a few days ago. I hadn't heard the term electronic aggression and I didn't know the CDC was involved.

Have you heard of the term before? What are your thoughts?
 
OceanAnnie said:
I hadn't heard the term electronic aggression and I didn't know the CDC was involved.

I heard it referred to recently as "Textual Harrassment".

I think we'll be hearing a lot more about it as we move forward with this technology and laws are developed.
 
I heard it referred to recently as "Textual Harrassment".

I think we'll be hearing a lot more about it as we move forward with this technology and laws are developed.

I hadn't heard the term, "textual harassment" either!

I agree, we will be hearing a lot more about it. New territory. New laws on the way.
 
I'm waiting for the study that links a decrease in other instances of aggression to the increase in electronic aggression. I suppose there isn't much money to be made/many papers to be sold funding that study. :rolleyes:
 

I am glad to see that a term has been made for this. We all keep saying "bullying" and there are a lot of incidents that are not actual bullying.

The problem with some electronic aggression is that if its done on Facebook its there are everyone to see, where many times an argument or accusation or teasing on the playground was kept between just a few people. Makes it more humilating and much harder on the kid.

I believe that a lot the kids that are doing this wouldn't do it without being able to hide behind a cell phone or a computer screen. So, I can certainly see how there would be so much more of it.
 
I was glad to see a term for it too. The advances in technology while great in many regards, pose new problems with farther reaching consequences. I think it's about time the laws catch up to the cyber-bullies.
 
To be honest, I do not see this as just an adolescent issue. Sadly a lot of adults participate in this type of behavior. I have seen it here and I have seen it on other boards. Bullies do not necessarily outgrow their behavior, they just take it to a higher level.
 
To be honest, I do not see this as just an adolescent issue. Sadly a lot of adults participate in this type of behavior. I have seen it here and I have seen it on other boards. Bullies do not necessarily outgrow their behavior, they just take it to a higher level.

I wholeheartedly agree. I think the existing laws include some of the strongest aggressive acts by adults, but they may be expanded upon as well. The case of the mother that posed as a boy online that led to a teenager's suicide comes to mind. I think there has been a push for new legislation on that case alone (but it isn't the only one of it's kind).
 


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