The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

There are many forms of online cruelty. The irony of it is I read so much about youth bullying, and I don't want to diminish that it is an important issue -- but the fact is adults are not only victims  of harassment, they can be the perpetrators too.   As I continue to write about bullying and cyberbullying, it never ceases to amaze me how many different ways people have discovered to hate others -- whether it is on the playground or virtually, peer cruelty doesn't seem to have any limits or boundaries.  Yes, the very people that should be our children's role models (sports figures, celebrities, politicians, teachers, elders, etc... people we should respect ) can be the direct people that are acting like children online or otherwise. We have heard the stories of fat shaming , face shaming, parent shaming (moms judging moms), baby shaming , cyber-shaming and this year I read more about the ugliness of slut shaming  (from adults)....

Summer brings more summer employment for teenagers. Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable. When you hear about it happening with teenagers it is more deplorable. Who is responsible for your teen's safety when they go to their job? MSNBC recently report on this epidemic that is in many workplaces.  Making matters worse, many teens are more accessible than ever thanks to social networking sites and mobile devices, opening them up to more potential abuse. Texting is being used to send subtle and not-so-subtle messages. Teens, especially those that are working at their first job, are unsure about how to report these incidents or fear if they do, will they be fired? Is your teen being victimized at their job?  Visit Teen Victim Project and learn more about sexual harassment. Tips for parents of teens from E.J. Graff , a researcher for Brandeis University’s Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism, that will be starting a job: Ask her to...