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Nasty Girls

Nipping Gossip in the Bud

By Laura Paul

Kent also believes parents can take an active role in the schools. In fact, she is a mentor at her daughter's high school.

McBride says Kent is not alone when it comes to discovering a teenager who gossips via Internet. "The Internet has become the new tool for gossip," McBride says. "It used to be three-way phone calls and now it's instant message."

She suggests parents who have discovered their teenager gossiping on the computer discuss doing a random spot check of e-mails every week. "If a teen is the source of nasty gossip in e-mail or in a chat room, then the parent needs to take away privilege of computer," she says. "Will that stop it? Probably not right away, but you have to start somewhere. Chat rooms can be blocked. Parents have to just read their manuals on how to block them. They have to take the extra step."

Teenage girls are not the only ones who gossip. McBride says boys also gossip, but they tend to gossip about girls' behavior because they don't understand it.

Finally, McBride says it is important for parents to understand their teenagers will mimic their behavior. One of the best ways parents can prevent the spread of nasty rumors is by setting a good example. Keep negative thoughts about the crazy next-door neighbor or the overweight bank teller to yourself. Teach your daughter the art of apology and how to confront others. If she knows who is responsible for the rumor, she should let the person know there is a real person behind the rumors.

*Names changed to protect privacy