Cyber Bullying: Health Story

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, February 10 and March 30, 2008
Show 506

"You are worthless, ugly, and it's no wonder why you don't have any friends."  These words are mean enough, but they're even worse when today's technology is used to spew them. Bullying behavior is nothing new. Cyberbullying, however, is—and new generations of bullies use the Internet to threaten, insult and harass others, usually under the cloak of anonymity. Meet Cati Filley, whose sole offense to other kids is having a medical condition that exaggerates her chin. The harassment got so bad, Cati moved to home schooling. She's not alone—millions of other children suffer similar cyberbullying attacks. "The kids who bully are the kids who have no other way of achieving high social status in their peer group," explains Dr. Steven Parker of the Boston Medical Center, "The only way they feel they can improve this is to take advantage of someone with even less power."  Support from family has helped Cati, and she's been able to gather a good circle of friends. She's learned to put in perspective—she knows it will eventually end and, as she says, "They're just words."