As Roger pointed out in a recent post, school should be a safe place for kids. But what happens when it isn't? Bullying is a big issue in schools, and today's technology has allowed it to reach far past the school yard. Bullies can now torment their targets by text, IM, or through the Internet. Victims of bullying are at risk for social, emotional, and academic problems in the long-term.

So what should you do if you're child is being targeted by a bully? CNN has several suggestions, some of which include:

• Tune into your child's behavior and look for signs that something is out of the ordinary. Take note, too, if they radically change their routine for no apparent reason.
• Before jumping in and calling a bully's parents, get your tween or teen to open up and talk about it, letting them have some control over the solution.
• Younger children will need parents to intervene more quickly.
• Inform school authorities immediately.
• Help your child come up with tactics that will put a stop to the bullying, but don't encourage violence or retaliation.
• Encourage social relationships through extra-curricular activities, clubs, and sports, and teach your child how to reach out to others socially.

Finally, realize that bullying isn't something that kids "grow out of." Adults who were bullied can have traumatic memories of childhood, and bullying isn't limited to children. The sooner that both victim and bully get adult guidance to resolve the situation, the better.