Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein Offers Tips To Ease The Anguish For Teen And Tween Victims of Cyberbullying
The recent New York Times article, 'Online Bullies Pull Schools Into the Fray', outlined the modern day problems teens and tweens face in the today's online culture. Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein offers tips for parents to help combat cyberbullying

LONG BRANCH, NJ, July 08, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The explosive growth of cell phones, computers and online social sites have created a modern day problem that parents of teens and tweens must face and hopefully overcome - cyberbullying.

Remember when a tiny note rolled up and passed along in class could be devastating? Or someone changing tables in the cafeteria as you sat down could be a message that hurt for months? These sorts of events were awful and children were known to cry themselves to sleep over such innocent slights and hurts.

"Just magnify that by 1000," stated Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, "and you get closer to what today's kids have to deal with. The New York Times article brilliantly outlines the typical nightmares that many kids of today face and also the difficulties that schools have in curbing much of it. After all, schools of today, just as 30 years ago, can't control what happens after school or on the weekend. As a psychologist and school psychologist I take very seriously what is happening to today's kids. Parents and schools need to respond and act, not just react."

Parents are, as always, on the front line of the child's development. This means parents must:

* Make themselves available to the child at meals, in the car, in the evening when possible, and on the weekends.

* Not use cell phones, phones, or computers when the child is expecting and may need connection, help, advice or simply love. Research shows that kids don't like it when their parents are only giving them partial concentration.

* Refuse to talk on a cell in the car when the child is in the car. They should also refuse to bring any phone to the dinner table, and not answer the phone during mealtime, except during emergencies.

* Make certain to have meals with the child at least three nights a week.

* Plan weekend time as a family. During that time, whether a picnic or a visit to a relative, set aside only brief times when anyone uses technology.

In the NYT article, Maeve Cannon, a 14-year-old eighth grader advising younger people how to avoid bullying, was quoted as saying, "If you're under 13, you shouldn't even be on Facebook." Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein agrees 100% with Maeve and would even take the advice further.

"If you child is under 13," she stated, "he or she should be so tired at night from school work, hobbies, studying an instrument or taking a sport, helping with chores, socializing with family and friends, that the very thought of lifting a finger to talk on a keyboard, without the human input of a smile or a grimace, just wouldn't make sense!"

She further states: "Bullying is often the outgrowth of excess emotions and energies that are not more wholesomely directed. Feelings and thoughts can run amuck in anyone, particularly youngsters already experiencing so many emotional and bodily changes, when they are not challenged, encouraged and taught how to make good use of their time."

Dr. Barbara speaks regularly on radio programs around the country, and appears on television in New York and New Jersey. Her inspiring audio shows and podcasts can be found on the web, along with hundreds of her articles and stories. She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Simple Pleasures, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, and Family Circle Magazine. She can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com

Press Release Contact Information:

Barbara Becker Holstein
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
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170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, NJ
USA 07740
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