Internet communication has gained greater popularity, and with that comes a rise in Internet bullying.

Internet bullying can be anything from a mean message with vulgar language to death threats made via the Internet.

The DeKalb Police Department labels Internet bullying cases simply as harassment cases, said Lt. Gary Spangler.

“Cyber bullying is a somewhat newer term,” Spangler said.

DeKalb Police Department has had reports regarding Internet harassment in the past.
“It’s not a big problem for us yet,” Spangler said. “[But] things are evolving.”

According to FightCrime.org, 1 of 3 teens and 1 of 6 preteens are victims of cyber bullying.

“The typical playground bullying is no longer occurring,” said Roger Scott, principal at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb.

MySpace has an option that allows school administrators to contact them to have an account shut down at a parent’s request.

Scott has had to do that four times in the past year and a half.

John Hahn, an assistant principal of DeKalb High School, recalls only two cases of cyber bullying at DHS.

“It’s real minimal here,” Hahn said. “It’s predominantly with freshmen and sophomores. The juniors and seniors couldn’t care less.”

Sycamore High School officials know these things occur.

“It’s possibly our biggest problem,” said Mark Leffler, principal at SHS.

“It occurs outside [the school], and students bring it inside the walls,” Leffler said.
However, SHS only takes action if it affects the school.

“There is nothing really we can do unless it affects the learning environment,” Leffler said.

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