Cyber Bullying Sadly A Reality In Back To School Talks With Kids

Brookline High School students Ari Lazowski (left) and Iman Khan practice presenting an exercise on cyberbullying.
Brookline High School students Ari Lazowski (left) and Iman Khan practice presenting an exercise on cyberbullying.
Brookline High School students Ari Lazowski (left) and Iman Khan practice presenting an exercise on cyberbullying.
Brookline High School students Ari Lazowski (left) and Iman Khan practice presenting an exercise on cyberbullying.

Cyber Bullying Sadly A Reality In Back To School Talks With Kids

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

At least that’s how the old adage goes. But since the rise of social media, bullying has gone from the physical space to cyberspace, and those words-or pictures and video-have the potential to make a person’s social life tough, and even lead to some serious consequences. A recent poll by the University of Michigan found that 1 in 3 parents in the U.S. worry about cyberbullying, and most recognize it as a leading health problem among students. And it’s not just students who are victims of cyberbullying: teachers can fall victim to cyberbullying from students and colleagues. Morning Shift talks to Jonathan Singer, professor of social work at Loyola University, and Bridget Walsh, Learning Resource Specialist at Francis Parker School in Lincoln Park.