Clarkstown Parents Seek Police Help Investigating Online Threats
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - On the attack against cyberbullying, concerned parents in Clarkstown have been calling police and school officials after some recent anonymous online postings.
This comes in the wake of two cyberbullying-related suicides in Canada and California.
Clarkstown Detective Sgt. Chris Goodyear checked out an online threat last month.
Clarkstown Parents Seek Police Help Investigating Online Threats
"We believe that was at an elementary school level and it was more of a prank. But, again, some of these kids were probably under the age of 12 or 13 and they were out there on the internet using these social media networks that they're not mature enough to really be out there to use," Goodyear told WCBS 880 reporter Sean Adams.
That was in March.
Most recently, there was an anonymous vulgar vicious attack on a female student on the site ask.fm. It compared the young girl to a beached whale.
Goodyear said that anonymous online comments can sometimes be traced.
"Accounts can be subpoenaed and can be traced back to you and you can be held culpable for that kind of action," he said.
"The district has had police department officials and technology people, professionals in the district, speak to the parents and have us become more aware," said PTA delegate Meryl Barkin. "I just think you have to have an open dialogue with them and really kind of I don't want to say spy on your kids, but you really need to know what they're posting."
How do you monitor your children's online activity? Share your tips below.
