By Justin Creech
Staff Writer
Thursday, April 12, 2012

Children and teenagers are learning about the effects of cyber bullying from members of the Fort Belvoir Directorate of Emergency Services, Criminal Investigations.

In today’s world of advanced technology, DES leaders feel it is important that children are aware of how social media sites like Facebook, and even text messaging, can be a tool for harassment and cause a person to have self-esteem and anger issues.

In extreme cases, cyber bullying has led victims to physically harm themselves.

“Some of the teenagers we’ve spoken to are more familiar with the stories that have made the news as far as people wanting to hurt themselves or someone else because they’ve been bullied,” said Abigail Smith, DES Criminal Investigations Special Agent. “What was interesting is, I opened up discussion after the last class and someone asked if you see a bunch of friends fighting or you see an assault what should you do? We asked them, if you don’t speak up or are not directly involved, but could have helped, and someone gets hurt does that make you an accomplice?”

DES officials began meeting with groups of children and teenagers on post shortly after the new year. They had discussions with Child, Youth and School Services representatives about general safety topics. CYSS was advised that children on post needed to be made aware of the effects of cyber bullying, since many of them carry cell phones and regularly use social media sites.

DES defines cyber bullying as any type of harassment or unsolicited communication via social media or texting. They let the children decide their own definition of cyber bullying.

“The kids define it as picking on people through the internet and Facebook,” Smith said. “Making comments behind someone’s back that starts fights and rumors.”

How Facebook comments and text messages can be misinterpreted was discussed with the children as well.

A simple statement like “I can’t believe he said that” can be interpreted differently when read on social media or a text message compared to hearing the comment spoken.

“Depending on how you say that comment verbally determines how it’s interpreted because you can hear the emotion in my voice,” Smith said. “With texting and Facebook you don’t hear the emotion and a simple sentence ends up being interpreted many different ways. That’s a big eye opener for the children.”

Another eye opener for the youth was learning of the potential legal ramifications of cyber bullying.

The state of Virginia has computer and cyber bullying based laws that make harassing someone via the telephone or computer illegal.

“We tell the children that information, first, so they know it is wrong,” Smith said. “Second, it’s illegal in some cases.”

DES also reminded the youth to be careful of what information about their parents they put on the Internet.

A Facebook status about a deployment ceremony or a training exercise can be damaging to the parent and the Army.

“I’m an Army brat myself,” said Smith. “So, I try to remind the kids of operational security. They need to be careful because people can read that and pick up on what the Army is doing.”