I think we've pretty much all noticed everyone's tempers getting more heated in recent years. Text messaging and MySpace (along with Facebook, Tagged, Xanga and every other website out there that let's you communicate with others) is really just incidental.

When Megan gets to that point, I intend on keeping an eye on her pages because I have known teenagers to lie about their ages and post pictures that are not appropriate, as well as give out too much information. As far as things her peers are saying to her, I think she needs to learn how to deal with it on her own. If something is really bothering her or someone is physically threatening her, I hope that she'll come to me, but I don't think I need to be in the middle of two girls' petty name calling spat...they need to learn to draw the line somewhere and move on without someone's mommy playing referee constantly before they get into the real world and mommy isn't there to nip their battles in the bud.

@filtered_sunlight@xanga - I agree with you about letting them handle their own battles, to an extent. When I phoned the school it was only after I texted to let them know I was reading the messages and to please stop. For the most part, I remain a silent means of support, but there are times when it is taken too far and parents are forced to step in.

BTW, these were VILE names. Had it simply been "hey you are such a bitch" I wouldn't have uttered a word. Think of the worst things you could say as a person and multiply by 5.

@ApplexXxAxXxDay@xanga - Trust me, she has learned a difficult lesson. We were in the midst of moving when this all began, so I am thankful that she has moved on to another school and what I hope are more mature friends.

Texting is something I simply don't understand. I have text on my phone and since I mentor several of the teens in my church I get and send text messages from time to time. But it's terribly tedious! I know these kids are way faster at it than me but to me it's like going back to sending smoke signals. Text it cryptic and meticulously impersonal. But what do I know... I'm a thirty year old mother of 5 kids under 10!!

So I really don't think this is a "text" issue. I think kids, for the most part, are just mean. They say things right to each others faces that are just plain hateful! Those of us from Generation X (and before) tend to think we are so mature but our kids are spoiled, rich kids! I would have fallen over dead if my dad gave me my own computer or cell phone when I was a teenager!! Now pretty much every American kid thinks this is standard equipment! The 'entitlement phenomenon' is sweeping this country... And I don't know what it will take to shake it up a bit. I guess we'll see...

I think its sad how "big" people get online. It not only happens with children, but adults as well. Its easy to talk a big game online. Its sad, it really is.

I had a girl write blogs about me using my first, middle, and last names, and writing me messages and getting her friends (as well as herself) to harrass me by text. I had changed my number 3 times and she kept obtaining the new number. Finally, after the third time I had someone tell her when I change my numbers, I'm giving her a free pass, but that she will get no more. It took a few months, but the calls and texts started up again. I went to the cops, and a few months later, she had a sentencing where she cannot contact me for six months. She wrote yet ANOTHER blog about me and the legal system...I printed it and took it to the cops. I don't know what happened with that, but they had said there could be a possibility of her punishment being revoked and she'd have to spend some time in jail.

We had a family member who's daugher was in highschool. One year she was elected to the queen's homecoming court. She of course was delighted. She found out after the vote but before the homecoming event that she had been elected as a joke. They didn't really mean for her to accept and participate. It was found out after the fact that at the homecoming a group of them was going to stand up and make a ruckus.  Although she 'blew' it off, at home the difference was seen. She was not talkative, withdrew into her room, her grades suffered. She was a 3.75 student and that marking quarter almost failed some of her classes. The parent decided to contact the school and was informed at that time that they had become aware of the situation and there was staff sitting among the group of 'protesters' . Had they made a move, they would have been yanked and suspended. One of the teachers that the student respected became her confidant. The school praised the parent for caring and being aware of the what was happening in the student's life. She did the right thing. I am not sure what this may do down the line, but she seems to be ok now. I believe she has grown in maturity as well as her self image. There is a time and place for parents involvement. A young person needs to be allowed to work it out, but there is a point where it is too much and they need an advocate. Even the Bible tells us that Each of us faces temptations and struggles. But God is faithful to provide a way to bear up under them so we are not crushed. 1st Corinthians 10:13 Bottom line, know you child, know their limits, know their heart.

Personally, what I have seen on other family member's MySpaces, etc is appalling!   The names they call each other these days - joking or not is downright terrible!  And they all think it's so funny - I think it's disgusting!  If I had teenage daughters nowadays, I would be keeping a close check on their accounts, that is for sure.

geez what is wrong with people?  I was never bullied when I was a kid, and I never fought with my friends like that.  Sounds like a case of people's traits and actions being exaggerated by the internet.  My suggestion:  find new friends.  Also, that picture is amazing and hilarious. 

I have been the subject of cyber bullying.  I had some rough times at school and my "friends" didn't like that I was seeing a guy so they decided to exile me and spread lies about me.  Then about 10-15 people in my school got my IM screen name and decided to say bad things to me so I had to change all of my screen names and emails.  It was horrible.

Yeah, it's really common. And really lame.
There's been Facebook groups made about people.
And not to mention what you can say anonymously in Honesty Boxes and other things.
It's almost worse online, so many other people can see it. and people you've never seen can join in, just because their buddy started it.

It's a society problem, people are getting more and more self center, and self fish.

Before the 'internet age', bully often happen. Then at 'internet age', bully become so convenient, and thus happen more often.