Possible victim of cyber bullying at Maryville Middle School

Possible victim of cyber bullying at Maryville Middle School

April 5, 2007

By CATHARYN CAMPBELL
6 News Reporter

MARYVILLE (WATE) -- A Maryville teen has become the apparent victim of cyber bullies.

Cyberbullying is defined as sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices.

Investigators say two students at Maryville Middle School used another girl's identity to create a MySpace web page that included a picture of the 13-year-old in her underwear.   

Officers are treating the incident as a form of harassment.  

The Maryville Middle School student tells police that two of her classmate accused her of altering their MySpace pages.  

The student says they later retaliated by using her name to create a separate page which included embarrassing pictures of her.

Director of Maryville Schools Dr. Mike Dalton says all forms of bullying are major concerns but harassment over the Internet is the hardest to control.

"They can say things that offend people to the point that they respond in ways that are inappropriate and sometimes very violent," Dalton says. 

It's not clear if the students created the MySpace page at school but Dalton says it's unlikely. Special software limits a student's Internet access.  

Now, he is calling on parents to educate and closely monitor their kids.

"The types of things you place on the Internet, you are responsible for that. If it's aimed at a particular individual, it could be a violation of the law. It's very serious."

The Maryville Police Department says its investigation is ongoing. It's possible that identity theft and other charges could be filed.

The school district is also looking into the incident.

If you know your child is being bullied online, you should save the evidence by printing any emails or web postings.

Also, contact the school counselor or resource officer and make them aware of the situation.  

And if the bullying appears to be a crime such as threats of violence, harassment or stalking, you should consider calling police.