By this point, noting the prevalence of social media on college and high school campuses is cliché, however the issue of social media harassment and cyber stalking in schools often flies under the radar.
Detective Aaron Appelhans of the University of Wyoming Police Department said that both of these issues are occurring more often in Laramie.
“Cyber stalking and harassment are becoming more frequent on campus but we are working with the STOP Violence program to educate students.” Appelhans said.
While Appelhans said that cyber harassment is a problem, he also believes that the university is doing a good job of combatting the situation.
“The University is doing a great job at adapting to new technology so that students are able to go to school in a safe environment,”Appelhans said.
Commander Mitch Cushman of the Laramie Police Department believes that the issue is typically confined to junior highs and high schools. Cushman also believes that most social media harassment is a precursor to stalking.
“If social media harassment does occur, it eventually leads to stalking,” Cushman said. “Since Laramie is an educational community, most of the social media harassment is reported here than any other part of Wyoming.”
Cushman’s main concern about the issue is that it is often mistaken in the case of insults. The definition of harassment involves obscene language, threats of violence and intimidation. The difference between communication and harassment has a fine line that is seldom distinguished. Cushman said he believes that social media should be more limited and protected, considering how unsecure and internationally available it has become.
“Social Media harassment is important and serious enough that more people should be aware of the potential consequences,” Cushman said.
Toi Geil, a psychologist in the student-counseling center said that, while social media harassment occurs occasionally at UW, it is not a major issue among the students she talks too.
“Social Media harassment is not a common issue we see,” Geil said.
Meghan Selheim is the Coordinator for STOP Violence at the University of Wyoming, which aims to help and provide resources for students that are experiencing any type of harassment. “Most of the cases that we see involve an overlap of sexual assault, stalking and harassment,” Selheim said “and these cases involve some aspect of social media such as texting or a network.”
Selheim organizes talks for students within their classrooms along with programs in resident halls, meetings for Athletes and sororities on campus.
Selheim has worked for the STOP program since March 2013, and said that this semester has been the busiest. “Usually we do a lot more advertisements and programs on campus, but this semester we have had more students seek help,” Selheim said.
Students experiencing harassment are encouraged to contact the Laramie Police Department, Student Counseling services or the STOP Violence Program.
