Bullying isn’t a new phenomenon. In fact, the playground bully is almost iconic in American culture. As a society we’ve come a long way since my childhood when bullied kids were counseled to toughen up or to learn how to box or something. The social and psychological principles that underlie bullying really haven’t changed much since the dark days of my youth. What has changed is the playground.

Ubiquitous connectivity has broadened the reach of bullies and created a new set of dynamics unique to this generation. In this chapter we discuss the ways in which technology is used to bully, harass, or otherwise engage in negative and anti-social behaviors. We’ll also talk about ways you can protect yourself and your children from online bullies.