In a poll conducted by The Associated Press this August, it was discovered that 56 percent of teens and young adults have been the target of some type of cyber-bullying.  The poll interviewed 1,355 people between the ages of 14 and 24 nationwide as part of MTV’s “A Thin Line” campaign, which seeks to stop the spread of digital abuse.

The young people surveyed who were exposed to some form of cyber-bullying (sexting, dating abuse, harassment, taunting, or the spreading of falsehoods) increased by ten percent from 2009. Teen suicides linked to online bullying have sparked increasing concern across the nation, reaching as far as the federal government.

President Obama  confronted cyber-bullying with students, parents, and experts at the White House this past March. Lady Gaga, godmother to Elton John and David Furnish’s son, Zachary, is trying to meet with President Obama to convince him to pass legislation outlawing bullying altogether. This Saturday at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, Gaga dedicated her rendition of “Hair” to Jamey Rodemeyer, the gay teen who committed suicide last week because of cyber-bullying.

Savvy Aunties can always help their nieces and nephews to relieve the emotional stress of being victims to bullying. Talk to your nieces and nephews about bullying. Remember you are often their ConfidAunt - the one they will share their fears and feelings with. If cyber-bullying persists, you may consider suggesting they delete their social network profiles having their cellphone numbers changed.