Cyber bullying trends concern for new full-time youth aid officer

Bullying through texting and computer social network sites seems to indicate a disturbing lack of empathy by teenagers, says Central Otago's first full-time police youth aid officer.

Constable Jacqui Lambeth took up the role at the start of this year and she says, by and large, Central Otago children are "good kids".

"I'd say about 95% of kids in Central Otago are really good kids and even those who offend, relatively speaking, what they're involved in is nuisance offences - disorderly behaviour, wilful damage, anti-social behaviour."

She also has praise for parents.

"Usually I have full parental support when I'm dealing with kids. Often, if their child has been in trouble, they'll ring me before I've had a chance to ring them. They're fairly proactive."

The growing trend for young people to bully each other by texting and placing comments on computer social network sites concerns Const Lambeth.

"That's the biggest thing, in my opinion. When we were growing up, if you insulted someone, it was to their face and you saw the reaction.

"Now kids can insult someone via a text or on Facebook or Bebo and they never have to see the reaction their words cause or how much they hurt.

"Some of it is pretty nasty, too, and they don't seem to have much empathy.

"I know you can't stop progress and technology, but parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing.

"My message would be, don't be afraid to take the cellphone off them or monitor what they're doing on the computer."

Taking up the role after four years in Invercargill working in youth aid, Const Lambeth was pleased to return to her home town of Alexandra.

"Funnily enough, all the things that I didn't like as a teenager living here are all the things that drew me back to the place.

"It's a small town and everyone knows what you're doing and kids realise they can't get away with much here."

She covers a wide area, including Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh, Millers Flat and Ranfurly; and her main work involves making young people accountable for any offending they do.

As well, she works with agencies, schools and youth workers to provide alternative activities and new experiences for youth to help keep them on the right side of the law.

Const Lambeth has no children of her own, but is a doting aunt to lots of nieces and nephews, and says she is passionate about working in youth aid.

"I've got a real thing about kids being undervalued and slipping under the radar; not living up to their full potential. They get a lot of bad press sometimes, and they're out there doing positive stuff, too."

Last Saturday, she and other people who work with youth took a group of seven year 7 and 8 Central Otago boys on part of the Otago Central Rail Trail.

They cycled two sections, including most of the tunnels and viaducts, to give the boys a taste of the rail trail and show them what activities are available in the area.

"The aim is to get kids out and about and show them something inexpensive that's fun to do. They had a good day."

The event was done as part of the Blue Light programme.

Once tied in with discos, the programme has now been extended to include all kinds of activities, including camps.

"We're getting good feedback from the kids who are enjoying what we're doing for them."

Peer pressure rather than alcohol was a factor in most offending by young teenagers in Central Otago.

"Most of the offences don't involve alcohol, but the majority do involve co-offenders; it's often a whole group of mates."

The consequences of the offending vary, according to the child's age and the seriousness of the offence.

"We arrange a lot of alternative action, which is a bit like diversion. They sign an Alternative Action contract and they might write a letter of apology or get involved in a reparation project - like community work or doing something for the victim."

Presently, Const Lambeth has 12 children aged from 14-17 on her books carrying out alternative action.

Their alternative action includes things like working in the Salvation Army's community garden in Alexandra.

She is keen to hear from community groups or individuals with ideas for other community work that could be carried out, especially tasks that can be done in winter.

lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz