Did you know that there are now teen treatment programs for bullying being offered by mental health centers? Many of the bullying cases these days involve cyberbullying, too—not something that most parents and guardians have a lot of experience in. Adults today may think of asking for a phone line in their bedrooms as something they did in their teens as a way to connect with their peers and the rest of the world. However, teens these days have many options when it comes to connecting with others — they may ask for their own smartphones, tablets, gaming devices, and computers. This gives them consistent access to the internet, which also leaves them open to cyberbullying.
Just as the use of technology has evolved, so has the ability to bully. Bullying, once restricted to the physical world, has now moved into the online world as cyberbullying. And if statistics on cyberbullying are to be believed, it’s becoming more and more of a problem for teens. Looking for teen treatment programs for bullying in Colorado? Contact Imagine Fort Collins today by calling 888.291.2309 or reaching out to our team online.
What Is Cyberbullying?
As mentioned earlier, cyberbullying involves the use of technology to repeatedly and intentionally harass, humiliate, hurt, embarrass, or intimidate someone. Perpetrators and victims of cyberbullying are often in their teens, and face-to-face bullying can also happen alongside cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying can occur through the following:
- Messaging platforms
- Online forums
- Online games
- Social media platforms
- Texting
If your teen has a computer, gaming device, smartphone, or tablet, they’re at risk of being part of a cyberbullying situation. Cyberbullying includes sending, or posting false, harmful, mean, or negative content about someone. It also includes sharing personal or private information about someone—in fact, some cyberbullying actions cross the line into criminal behavior.
What Are Some Statistics on Cyberbullying That Parents and Guardians Should Know?
Internet harassment is not only real and damaging but represents a threat to the most vulnerable in a population: young people. Cyberbullying statistics show the severe cost of online harassment, as it reveals increased anxiety, depression, and suicide rates in teens.
Did you know that 95% of U.S. teens are internet users? About 45% of these teens say they are constantly online. Most of them use the internet daily for school, social media, video games, and video streaming. This generation of teens is vulnerable to more bullying and victimization than their parents ever were. There are more opportunities to harass teens on the internet, and anonymity makes it easier to get away with bullying.
About 90% of U.S. teens believe that online harassment is a problem. However, 15% of teen cyberbullying victims would prefer to keep their abusive situations a secret—but that doesn’t mean that adults should try to stop attempts to uncover cyberbullying situations, especially in school. Students are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide when they have been cyberbullied.
When Should You Consider a Teen Treatment Program for Bullying?
The effects of bullying go beyond temporary or short-lived physical or emotional pain. Bullying has serious effects on a teen’s long-term physical and mental health, and it can also affect how they interact with the world and others around them. Their academic performance can also take a hit, which can lead to negative consequences for their future.
Teen treatment programs for bullying not only intervene in current bullying situations, including those that happen online, but also teach teens how to prevent future bullying and healthier ways to cope with its effects. Learning healthier coping mechanisms and practicing better communication habits can help teens stand up to bullies and put themselves first.
Find Out More About Imagine Fort Collins’s Teen Treatment Programs for Bullying
If you’re searching for teen treatment programs for bullying in Colorado, contact Imagine Fort Collins today. Call 888.291.2309 or reach out to our team online.