Cyberbullying on the rise in NC city

ELIZABETH CITY, NC (WAVY) - Police say cyberbullying is a growing problem among teens and adults in Elizabeth City.

There were three arrests in the city for cyberbullying in 2010, nine in 2011 and seven so far this year.

Krystal Eure, a mother of three, says she does not allow her children to use the internet due to cyberbullying.

"Its totally wrong,' Eure said. "I don't understand why anybody would want to do that. Obviously [they are] pretty bored with their life and they got to pick on somebody else."

Lt. John Etheridge of the Elizabeth City Police Department defines cyber bullying as: "Any type of harassment, threatening anyone over the social network. If you do anything that can get that message across over the social network, that is cyberbullying."

Ethridge encourages parents to monitor their children's internet use. He also asks parents to check to see if grades have slipped, their demeanor has changed or if they no longer do the things they used to do. Ethridge says these are indications of possible cyberbullying.

Victims of this crime can report it to police or to their local school district. Etheridge says he will be heading presentations for community, school and church groups to educate people about what he says is a growing crime in his community.

Anti-bullying laws in both Virginia and North Carolina cover cyberbullying.