I don't know how to grapple with the issues of technology, cyber bullying, "slut shaming"

[cali]

sexual assault and kids.

How has technology changed things? Does it distance kids from events like the sexual assaults on the girls in Steubenville, Nova Scotia, CT and CA?

I don't know how to articulate this, but my sense is that technology has changed perceptions, particularly of kids; certainly it's amplified things. Is the "mean girl" phenomenon part of these awful events and is that amplified by Facebook, the web, cell phones?

What the hell is going on in the minds of kids who engage in the cyberbullying of sexual assault victims? It has a modern day "Lord of the Flies" sensibility to it.

Is cyberbullying as widespread as it seems? How do we address this? Should it be addressed in schools? Do schools have serious repercussions in place for those engaged in cyberbullying? Can they? Should they?

[napoleon_in_rags]

1. I think we shouldn't call this stuff "bullying"

We're talking about assault, rape, coercion, blackmail, drugging and suicide... And the media has us all calling it bullying, like felonies committed by young people are all equivalent to a fifth grader shoving a third grader on the playground. Let's start putting out the idea that the law protects all Americans, even children.

[cali]

2. don't we have to separate assault and rape

and taking pictures and posting them from the bullying that goes on by kids not involved in the assault, after those pictures are posted? How do you deal with that?

[napoleon_in_rags]

4. I think the physical crimes are more significant than pictures.

But the pictures are important too. In all cases its e bout applying the law equally. Sexual pictures of minors are illegal, even if taken by minors and the law should be enforced

I think the most important thing is to avoid the Lord of the Flies type situations.

[YarnAddict]

3. Bullying has always existed

and so has rape. But technology has introduced a new element to both. I remember when I was in high school (40 years ago!) there could be "rumors" of what had happened at a party, but there was never irrefutable proof--like cellphone pix.

There are other differences: most of the kids I knew had part-time jobs, so there wasn't a lot of time to hang out and get into touble; most of the kids I knew came from intact families; a lot of us had stay-at-home moms, who were keeping track of us. Don't know how much any of that is a factor, if at all.