Cyber bullies don?t quit after grade school and they don?t even quit when they?re miles away.
Even senior citizens become victims.
But at a Westminster seminar Thursday, they learned how to deal with cyber bullies, who wreak havoc through a computer, telephone or other technology.
“Bullies stop bullying when they drop dead,” senior Sally Lufkin said. “It?s not mostly kids. There are people who need power and that?s what they get off on.”
Bullying traditionally occurs among younger people, but as institutions in the community, seniors can help everyone cope, said Bruce Lohr, a crime-prevention specialist with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
“Do you think that there aren?t bullies in the adult world?” Lohr asked. “Think about some of the bosses you?ve had. Do you think they?re bullies? For sure.”
And cyber-bullying, Internet harassment, is a recent phenomenon.
More than 50 percent of girls cyber-bully, while only about 35 percent of boys do, Lohr said.
“Before, you?d tell your kids, ?Just don?t use the computer anymore,?” Lohr said. “Nowadays, in the 21st century, you might as well tell the kid to cut his arms, his head and his legs off. That computer is his lifeline.”
Lohr urged about 35 seniors to look out for bullies and pass coping techniques on to their children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors.
“Too often when bad things happen, the parents say, ?We didn?t know,?” Lohr said. “Give them a comfortable place to come to. You might be the comfortable place as a grandparent or respected elder.”
Avoiding cyber-bullying
» Delete and remake accounts
» Have a neutral screen name
» Don?t type what you wouldn?t say face-to-face
