The classroom bully is not a new character, but technology has given the bully new shape. The Internet and the accessibility of handheld devices for younger and younger kids has afforded the bully to be more elusive and far-reaching, both in audience and victims.
Findings of a new cyberbullying study illuminates the changes and challenges well. According to the study, physical bullying decreases as children get older, but cyberbullying increases. The study also found:
- Almost 90 percent of students are online by third grade.
- 83 percent of middle school students have a mobile device.
- 35-40 percent of elementary students report being targets of bullying, and 50-53 percent of middle and high school students say they have been victims.
 (“One-Fifth of Third-Graders Own Cell Phones” — CNET)