McGruff Takes a Bite out of Cyber-Bullying

by Rob Walker | March 27, 2008 at 10:53 am

1181 views | 10 Recommendations | 13 comments

When I was a kid, the image of an animated dog in a trenchcoat and fedora saying: "Take a bite out of crime." filled me with amusement. Truth is, I have the same reaction today.

However, back in my day (I say this as a child of the 80's) we didn't have your fancy internets or cellular devices. Heck, my family didn't even have cable tv until I was 12.

But at least the bullying stayed at school and never followed me home, or in later years online. Getting home and seeing hate crap all over your myspace page would be pretty depressing.

If you’re like most teenagers, you spend a lot of time on a cell phone or instant messenger chatting with friends and uploading photos, videos, and music to websites. You may have online friends whom you’ve never met in person, with whom you play games and exchange messages. Teens’ lives exist in a variety of places such as school hallways, part-time jobs, and friends’ houses. Now many teens also have lives on the Internet. And bullying has followed teens online.

How are Teens CyberBullied?

Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Some youth who cyberbully

Pretend they are other people online to trick others

Spread lies and rumors about victims

Trick people into revealing personal information

Send or forward mean text messages

Post pictures of victims without their consent

When teens were asked why they think others cyberbully, 81 percent said that cyberbullies think it’s funny. Other teens believe that youth who cyberbully

Don’t think it’s a big deal

Don’t think about the consequences

Are encouraged by friends

Think everybody cyberbullies

Think they won’t get caught

Teens have figured out ways to prevent cyberbullying. Follow in the footsteps of other quick-thinking teens and

Refuse to pass along cyberbullying messages

Tell friends to stop cyberbullying

Block communication with cyberbullies

Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult

You can also help prevent cyberbullying by

Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and school administrators, to develop rules against cyberbullying

Raising awareness of the cyberbullying problem in your community by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents

Sharing NCPC’s anti-cyberbullying message with friends

Don’t forget that even though you can’t see a cyberbully or the bully’s victim, cyberbullying causes real problems. If you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t say it online. Delete cyberbullying. Don’t write it. Don’t forward it.

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politisite

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:10 on March 27th, 2008

Rob Walker, When I was a child, you could get away from Bullies once you made it home. Today it is much more complicated. Good informational story

jordan

at 11:14 on March 27th, 2008

Looks like the Crime Dog got a makeover for the 21st century, too! He looks more CG than cartoon.

crashmaster007

at 13:26 on March 27th, 2008

McGruff during the Millersville University homecoming parade.

crashmaster007 has contributed a photo to this story.

rojopine

at 13:54 on March 27th, 2008

fun use of this image...I thought of it more as a McGruff-type spokesman to make NSA eavesdropping seem A-OK to your kids!

rojopine has contributed a photo to this story.

RyanGWU82

at 14:44 on March 27th, 2008

In June 2005, McGruff supported the Washington, DC police force's Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit in Washington's annual Capitol Pride parade.

RyanGWU82 has contributed a photo to this story.

James Lawlor

at 16:30 on March 27th, 2008

McGruff On Parade

James Lawlor has contributed a photo to this story.

Fotodog

at 19:44 on March 27th, 2008

Cinco de Mayo parade 2007. McGruff was riding along the parade route in Saint Paul occasionally jumping out handing out badges. My 2nd grader knew who he was and was overjoyed to meet him and quoted his mission. Makes a father proud.

Fotodog has contributed a photo to this story.

jschult

at 04:43 on March 28th, 2008

McGruff in the Dairy Parade in Cortland New York, 2007.

jschult has contributed a photo to this story.

niteowl3721

at 06:21 on March 29th, 2008

Thanks for a great article Mr Walker. As a law enforcement family my husband and I know the importance of educating children on personal safety. More needs to be done to protect our young people from internet crimes; it's a massive, fast - growing, problem that requires parents, educators (including journalists!) and law enforcement alike working together to protect the innocent. Our department's experience with using McGruff has been a fun way to interact with local kids and make them aware of dangers. This particular photo was taken at a Boy Scout Jamboree in Ardmore, OK. I'm proud to say that's our daughter in the trenchcoat!

niteowl3721 has contributed a photo to this story.

supernatordjt

at 09:15 on March 29th, 2008

My illustration of how our favorite public service mascots might "bump" into each other.

supernatordjt has contributed a photo to this story.

aliciarenee

at 23:06 on March 31st, 2008

McGruff still struts his stuff, (alongside some friends) for the kids at PGE Stadium, home of the Portland Beavers.

aliciarenee has contributed a photo to this story.

alleghenycountylibrary

at 09:30 on April 3rd, 2008

McGruff visited the Moon Township Public Library to help kickoff our Summer Reading Club 2007 where the theme was 'Get a Clue @ Your Library!' The kids loved him!

alleghenycountylibrary has contributed a photo to this story.