An old problem is getting new attention in the United States--bullying. Recent cases included the tragic case of a 15-year-old girl whose family moved from Ireland. She hanged herself in Massachusetts following months of bullying. Her parents criticized her school for failing to protect her. Officials have brought criminal charges against several teenagers. 

Judy Kuczynski is president of an anti-bullying group called Bully Police USA. Her daughter Tina was also the victim of severe bullying starting in middle school in the state of Minnesota. She said,"Our daughter was a very outgoing child. She was involved in all kinds of things and had lots of friends. And over a period of time her grades fell completely. She started having health issues. She couldn't sleep. She wasn't eating. She had terrible stomach pains and didn't want to go to school." 

Bullying is defined as negative behavior repeated over time against the same person. It can involve physical violence, or it can be verbal--for example, insults or threats. Spreading lies about someone or excluding a person from a group is known as social or relational bullying. 

And now there is cyber-bullying, which uses the Internet, e-mail or text messages. It has easy appeal for the bully because it does not involve face-to-face contact and it can be done at any time. 

The first serious research studies into bullying were done in Norway in the late 1970s. The latest government study in the United States was released last year. It found that about one-third of students age twelve to eighteen were bullied at school. 

Susan Swearer is a psychologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-director of the Bullying Research Network. She says schools should treat bullying as a mental health problem to get bullies and victims the help they need. She says bullying is connected to depression, anxiety and anti-social behavior and bullies are often victims themselves.
what is bullying connected to?
and what else?
according to who?
who is she?
how many students are bullied?
of what age?
what is bullying defined as?
where was the girl who died from?
where was the family from?
who else is mentioned as a victim?
when did her bullying start?
where was the first research?
when?
is it an old problem?
when was US study released?
what does cyber-bullying include?
who is Tina's mom?
is she involved in any groups?
which one?
what is that?
was anyone charged for the girl in Mass.?
depression
depression
anxiety and anti-social behavior
anxiety and anti-social behavior
Susan Swearer
Susan Swearer
a psychologist
 a psychologist
one-third
one-third of
twelve to eighteen
twelve to eighteen
negative behavior
negative behavior
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Ireland
Ireland
Tina
Tina
middle school
middle school 
Norway
Norway
late 1970s
 late 1970s
yes
old problem
last year
last year
Internet, e-mail or text messages
Internet, e-mail or text messages
Judy Kuczynski
Judy Kuczynski
yes
anti-bullying group
Bully Police USA
Bully Police USA
anti-bullying group
anti-bullying group
yes
several teenagers.