Today we live in a fast-paced society. At our fingertips, we can get phone calls, emails, music, internet, and of course, any app that you could possibly imagine! Our kids are no different. A lot of them have almost immediate access to the internet and the world at large. Teens are using Facebook and other social media now more than ever to connect with friends, family and peers. Having these luxuries can be both positive and negative. One growing problem we are seeing in America today is bullying. Kids go to school and are being picked on. They get home, get online and the bullying continues in a place where they should feel safe. I want to encourage you as a parent, family member or friend, to step in. If a teen is in our care, we need to make every effort to keep them safe. This means monitoring their cell phones, iPods, and social media accounts. Since a lot of teens stay up late texting their friends, it might be a good idea to have something in place like a cell phone curfew. For example, when the teen goes to bed, the cell phone goes to the parent or guardian. Another idea to keep an eye on bullying would be to have all computers in a public room in the house. That way you are more aware of the information they have access to.

Of all the ways to help prevent or stop bullying, the parent is still the best source. Keep talking to your teens as they learn to navigate through these often difficult teen years. You are their best resource for love, wisdom, comfort and safety. As always, listen to them and allow them freedom to open up to you. Make your home a safe place for them to talk and get advice. And of course, if principals or teachers need to step in, make them known of the problem, too. Begin building a network of positive support!