Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/169452
COVER STORY of the sexters were between the ages of 16 to 18 while 39 percent were 13 to 15 years of age. According to polls Aftab conducted while visiting schools in the U.S. and Canada, 85 percent of students admitted to being targeted by cyberbullies within the last year. 50 percent have heard of or seen a website/profile/quiz bashing another student in their school, and 75 percent have visited one. 40 percent have had their password stolen and changed by a cyberbully (locking them out of their own account) or had communications sent to others posing as them on the Internet or by grabbing an unattended cell phone. Although the term cyberbullying applies to anyone under 18, high school students generally don't use this phrase. Instead it's more accurately defined by the MTV term "digital drama." Cyberbullying can begin as early as a child has access to technology. Many second and third graders use the Internet and have personal cell phones. The Internet can be accessed through gaming systems (Wii, Xbox 360), Internet tablets (iPad, Android) and e-readers (Kindle, Nook), not to mention most cell phones. A 2012 National Consumers League survey shows the average age for a child to receive a cell phone is 10 years old, and only 4 percent of the parents who bought a cell phone for their child aged 8 to 12 years old purchased a basic plan that did not include texting and/or web access. The Cox Communications' survey shows about one in five teens have engaged in sexting, while over a third of the participants had a friend that had sent or received these types of messages. A disturbing 1 in 10 sexters admitted to sending these messages to people they didn't even know. Is it a crime or not? One of the biggest challenges law enforcement faces is whether or not cyberbullying is a law enforcement issue. And Aftab explains that it depends. "At the low end of the risk, no," she states. "At the higher end, absolutely." When there are threats of bodily harm or death, attempts to provoke attacks by radical groups or to find out who is behind the activity, it is cru- Fits Mossberg 500 and 590 Customizable Add-A-Shell Confgurations • CNC Machined from 6061 T6 Aluminum & Military Type III Hardcoat Anodized • Mount as many or as few Add-A-Shells as Desired • Add-A-Shells Mount in any of the (9) Locations on the Side Saddle • Customize your Shell Confguration for any Task at Hand Circle 50 on Reader Service Card www.officer.com September 2013 Law Enforcement Technology 27