Letter of the Week: Cyberbullying has become a common problem for teens

As social media become a larger part of our children’s lives, cyberbullying has become alarmingly common.

About 33 percent of teenagers have experienced it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the majority of bullying in high schools happens through the use of technology.

Apps allow users to send text messages or make posts anonymously. No identity, no consequences, right?

As a pediatrician, I am concerned about the effects social media and cyberbullying can have on our children. I have seen firsthand how cyberbullying has driven teenagers to the point of attempting suicide.

I urge parents to monitor how their children use their devices and discuss cyberbullying with their children. No child should try to kill herself because of a text message.

Visit stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying for more information.

Dave Butler, of Overland Park, is originally from Tucson, Ariz. He graduated with his medical degree from the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha and is currently in his pediatric residency in Kansas City.

This story was originally published March 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Letter of the Week: Cyberbullying has become a common problem for teens."