Bullying via camera cell phones and Internet is an international problem and misuse starts younger than you might imagine. BBC reports that one in nine 5-9 year olds has a mobile phone, and over a third of primary school children with mobile phones have received name-calling text messages. 10% have received threats at level of “bullying”.

CAMERA CELLPHONES

Preteens and teens use cell phone cameras to photograph peers and humiliate them over Internet, such as photographing a student naked in locker room. Text messages are also used for harassment and cheating on exams.

Legislation is starting about privacy aspects of such photography, beginning with restrictions on federally-owned land. The private sector is also swinging into action. The YMCA in Australia has forbidden use of cellphone cameras in their facilities.

IDENTITY THEFT

You should also be aware that someone standing near you at checkout counter with a cell phone could photograph your credit card and have access to all information.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

While we all wait to see if social norms will develop regarding use of cell phones, what do you think? Personally, I wouldn’t count on it or it would already have happened. Here are some things you can do:

1.Be proactive.

There are thousands of studies indicating that there's a link between violent video images and increased aggressiveness and violence in children.

There are also studies that say there's little relationship between two, and that there may even be some visual/spatial benefits that kids receive from video games.

According to American Academy of Pediatrics, average child in this country will see 200,000 acts of violence by time they're eighteen.

Common sense tells me this is probably not benefiting them.

But truth is that it's difficult to prove exact impact that these images have on kids.

For parents, this may be wrong question to be asking. Perhaps there are other issues here that would be useful to consider.

As a coach who works with parents, I see frequent power struggles that come up around video games and TV watching. When I see young kids in front of a screen, I wonder about all of other things those kids might be doing.