NCJ Number
227592
Date Published
2008
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This brief explored the phenomena of electronic aggression among adolescents.
Abstract
Electronic aggression is defined as any kind of aggression perpetrated through technology or any type of harassment or bullying (teasing, telling lies, making fun of someone, making rude or mean comments, spreading rumors, or making threatening or aggressive comments) that occurs through e-mail, a chat room, instant messaging, a Web site (including blogs) or while text messaging. What is not known is exactly how often children and adolescents use different types of technology, if the use of technology increases the likelihood that a young person is the victim of aggression, and what caregivers and educators should do to help young people protect themselves. To examine this issue, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health and Division of Violence Prevention held an expert panel on September 20-21, 2006, in Atlanta, GA, entitled "Electronic Media and Youth Violence." The 13 panelists came from academic institutions, Federal agencies, a school system, and nonprofit organizations who were already engaged in work focusing on electronic media and youth violence. The panelists presented information about if, how, and how often technology is used by young people to behave aggressively. They also presented information about the qualities that make a young person more or less likely to be victimized or to behave aggressively toward someone else electronically. This brief, developed for educators and caregivers, summarizes what is known about young people and electronic aggression while discussing the implication of these findings for school staff, educational policymakers, and caregivers. References