Parents are urged to talk to their teens during the holiday season

Officials from the University of Virginia say that with the holidays approaching, now is the time to talk to children about technology, specifically in regards to cyberbullying.

With technological advances, some teens have taken to the internet and using their mobile phones to bully their peers. Officials say that using social media sites such as Facebook and Myspace can spread harassment across a large range and reach many more people.

Officials added that parents cannot rely on blaming hormones or chalking up their behavior as a phase. They suggested that teens need guidance, especially when using the internet.

Furthermore, they said that enrolling children in activities, camps and having them actively engaging in interaction with adults have been shown to reduce dropout rates and pregnancies, along with bullying behavior.

Boarding schools for teens can help individuals who exhibit aggressive behavior by designing therapy that promotes social success.

According to a recent survey from the Cyberbullying Research Center, approximately 7.5 percent of students reported being harassed online.