You know that we're hot under the collar over illegal
surveillance. But when it comes to parenting, it's a whole different story: and Tina
Meier, the mother of 13-year-old Megan who killed herself in 2006 after being bullied
by a neighbor on MySpace, wants parents out there to know that they need to keep
track of their children's online activity, too, not just where they go and what they do.
Tina was awarded TEEN LINE's 2009 Humanitarian Award this week. Her daughter's case spurred the
first ever cyber-bullying trial (scheduled for sentencing to cyber-assailant Lori Drew on May
18th). After her daughter's death, Meier has
been traveling nationwide "nonstop" giving anti-cyberbullying talks and raising awareness. She
advises parents to create their own MySpace and Facebook pages (probably Twitter
now, too) and use them to keep track of their kids' online forays. She even says you should Google
your children, and see if others are talking about them in forums or elsewhere in cyberspace.
Talk
openly, especially with your teens, Meier advises.
To make a donation, volunteer, or just get resources on anti-bullying awareness, visit the Megan
Meier Foundation online.
Visit TeenLine.org for
information, free crisis hotlines operated by trained teens for other teens, ask questions online, and to learn how
you can help others from issues that affect our children and teenagers today.
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