Cyberbullying

We need to better address the issue of cyberbullying. The media has documented enough cases to show that this type of harassment has inflicted real harm. I’m referring to such atrocities as the suicides of Ryan Halligan -- a New York teen who killed himself after a fellow 8th grader started a fake relationship online and then rejected him at school (see article); and most recently in the press, Megan Meiers – a 13-year old girl who took her life last year after her virtual (non-existent) MySpace love-interest terminated their friendship (see article) then incited peers to belittle her online.

When it comes to bullying, my generation is far luckier than the generation of my children. Before the Internet boasted a 91% penetration to youth at home, the bully most feared was an angry kid on the playground. Kids today can’t even see their tormentor. Posing online as someone else, the cyberbully spreads rumors and hurtful comments then disappears without a trace.

Cyberbullying is a growing epidemic affecting teens and reaching down to tweens. 10-15 year olds are at the highest risk of being bullied -- whether on the playground or on a social networking site. A new study by Internet Solutions for Kids indicates that 34% of surveyed children in that age bracket have experienced some form of harassment before reaching high school. And the numbers only go up from there with text-messaging and internet access via cell & smart phones. (see statistics from U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

Most stunning to me, is the fact that more often than not, cyberbullies are girls hurting another girl. One article I read stated that “it’s becoming common practice for such information as descriptions, addresses and daily activities to be sent to known sexual predators in the hope that the girl the bully decided needs to be taught a lesson will literally be raped.” (see article)

Worse yet, the victims have little to no criminal recourse at present. While more communities have been pushing to make online harassment a Class B misdemeanor -- punishable by a fine of up to $500-dollars and 90-days in jail –that hardly has the proverbial “teeth” to take a bite of this type of crime.

A more wide-spread approach to formulating law around cyberbullying is proving to be tricky. Lawmakers have to consider First Amendment issues, the spirit of the Internet, and the more obvious culprit – human nature itself.

Perhaps it’s not surprise that statistically speaking, 60% of bullies will be convicted of a crime by the age of 24. Let’s stop them now! Push for meaningful legislature. Get your voice out there & be heard!

It takes a village to raise a child. Parents, siblings, friends, mentors, and neighbors, need to be a support system for today’s youth. Kids need kudos which includes the investment of our time and most of all our love.

Between now and the time we toughen the penalties for those who use the Internet to prey on our children. Be aware that the emotional response your children might display as cyberbully victims may include: (i) social anxiety; (ii) loneliness; (iii) social withdrawal; (iv) physical illness; (v) low self esteem; (vi) phobias; (vii) aggressive behavior; (viii) depression; and (ix) dropping grades (see article).

Companies of Conscience & Kids

I was, in fact, driving my shopping cart down the middle of the aisle like a maniac. Time is money. And with three kids who love to “help,” experience dictates that when it comes to grocery shopping, if I don’t hurry it up, I’ll have a cart full of junk I don’t need.

Apologizing to the woman on aisle 8 who is witness to my frenzied tactic, I mobilize my team. “We’re looking for household favorites, household basics and household necessities,” I remind them as I stoop down to pick up a case of my husband’s favorite cola.

“You know, Mama,” my son says, as I shove the box under the cart. “we really should be buying that soda instead” , “because it’s made by a good company.”

I don’t just pause, I stop. (A miracle in of itself). “What do you mean,” I ask, “GOOD company?”

“Well,” he says with his most serious face, “they do stuff for people. They even give their money to poor kids. They worry about the earth, and they… I dunno… they … they’re good. That’s important right?” I work overtime to control the muscles in my face that are trying to alter the shape of my mouth into an oversized grin.

I can’t believe it’s happened. My son has graduated from “selfish consumer” to “selfless consumer” with a green halo over his head He is now a statistic. Part of the roughly 70% of Americans (according to a recent study by the Natural Marketing Institute), who want to purchase from a specific company because of their strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reputation.

“It’s very important,” I confirm.

Blind to the significance of this moment, his 4-year old sibling gleefully plucks products with ultra colorful logos off the shelves and piles them into our cart. I half wonder if any of these cherry-picked products come from a company of conscience, but my focus remains on my son. “Where’d you come up with the good company stuff?” I follow-up.

My son shrugs his shoulders, “Some kids were talking about it at school.”

First graders are now discussing aspects of CSR. Companies with a perceived conscience are making a difference to a demographic they find the most challenging to reach. CSR is clearly an investment that can lead to many long-term benefits, especially when marketed to kids (who make up a +$150-billion a year spending power – and doubling that number when factoring in their influence on mom & dad).

That evening, after I kissed my toothless son goodnight, I looked up the published CSR reports from both soda companies.

With their world-wide recognized brands, these two sizeable companies promote a positive image of their products and activities. Both firms have meaningful CSR programs with significant investments in the communities they serve. Both are capable of staying attuned to social issues relevant to their business – but it appears that one, over the other, has figured out how to communicate their efforts in a way elementary school kids can understand.

That is a diamond in the rough. The implications are life-long.

As a parent, I still have a long journey ahead of me to help my children enjoy greater discretion on consumption decisions. While I take great pride in the fact that my son -- at the tender age of 6 & ¾’s – feels that he should teach me (age deleted) about conscious consumerism, I also want to be sure he understands the difference between effective marketing and effective outcome.

Is it important to be a company of conscience? You bet your bottom dollar -- and KooDooZ™ to those who are out there, making a difference.