Cyber bullying is a growing problem, and it’s been magnified in the news recently by this year’s suicide at Rutgers University. Unfortunately, a number of special interest groups are attempting to highjack this issue for their own purposes.

Raptor, as a company involved in school security for almost a decade, has a unique insider’s knowledge of bullying issues. 

“Bullying is in schools, on the Internet, in the workplace- it’s everywhere, and it’s been going on for thousands of years,” said Allan Measom, CEO of Raptor Technologies, Inc. “Issues of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and just plain strong versus weak are pervasive, and none of it is ever right.”

Cyber bullying is a new version of an age-old form of harassment. It’s instant. It’s more wide-spread. It allows many bullies to remain anonymous. In fact, more than 40 percent of all teenagers with Internet access have been victims of online bullying, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.

It boils down to responsible parenting. Experts say three-quarters of parents are now monitoring their children's text messages and social media as a direct result of bullying and cyber bullying fears. 

“It’s up to parents to communicate with their kids and constantly watch what’s going on,” said Measom. “Bullying should not be conveniently labeled as hate crimes. Our kids need to know that we’re also using technology to watch them. Stop producing a watered-down generation of kids who are being taught NOT to stand up for themselves. Stop teaching kids that it’s dangerous to stand up or defend their friends, because adults are telling them it’s dangerous or wrong to fight back.”

Parents have a job to protect their children by teaching them how to defend themselves and how to treat others as they grow into adults. 

According to Measom, “A bully preys on weakness, and parents must communicate daily with their children. Read their Facebook and phone texts. Enroll them in a self-defense course, which will help heighten your child’s awareness of others.  Teach and set an example for your child to hold his head high and fight back appropriately and when necessary.”

Whether your child is the bully or the victim, it’s up to parents to stay involved and help put a stop to any type of harassment in or out of our schools.  This is a life lesson that every human being must take into adulthood.