A fenced-in schoolyard just might be safer than the borderless realm of cyberspace when it comes to bullying these days.

“It’s more common than most people think,” said Paige Robinson, 14, of Lawrence.

The ninth-grader at Southwest Junior High School said she most often sees people calling each other names while using online instant messages.

“It’s usually people that know them that wouldn’t have the guts to do it in person but can do it over the computer,” she said.

The pervasive problem of “cyber bullying” – which also comes in the form of text messages on cell phones, social networking sites and other Web sites – has prompted schools to create policies to address a problem that largely exists outside of school.

As the school year begins, administrators statewide must begin implementing a “bully policy,” in accordance with Senate Bill 68, signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in May. It requires school districts to adopt policies prohibiting bullying on school property, in a school vehicle or at a school-sponsored activity by January.

The law also requires each school district to implement a plan to address bullying that must include provisions for training and education for staff and students.

The law doesn’t cover cyber bullying. State Rep. Terrie Huntington, R-Mission Hills, who introduced the version of the bill that originated in the House, said she would expect to see it added later.

“Just to implement it is the first step. Subsequently, we’re going to have to have policy in place that includes consequences,” she said.

The Lawrence school district is ahead of the game, according to Karen Vespestad, director of grants, board services and strategic planning for the district. Months before Senate Bill 68 was passed, the district’s policy committee was working on plans to deal with bullying, including hazing and cyber bullying.

Bruce Passman, deputy superintendent of schools, said when harassment occurs off campus, it becomes a matter for the community and the police department. However, he added, if reports are made to principals, they follow up and try to mediate to reduce the number of occurrences even if the incidents occur off campus.

“We know that there is a direct link between academic achievement, learning and mental health,” Passman said.

If a student is distressed in school, mental health personnel, counselors and administrators may intervene, he said.

However, incidents of cyber bullying often go unreported.

Robinson said some victims of bullying are scared to tell a teacher or a parent. “I know of people that don’t want to talk to the teacher because then they think the bully would be told and they also don’t think the teacher would be able to help, so what’s the point?”

Elaine Johannes, Kansas State University research and extension youth development specialist, said the target of cyber bullying is often hesitant to report because parents could take away the cell phone or computer.

“Teens have to have connections; it’s the nature of the beast,” she said.

One of her recommendations is for bystanders to intervene, whether it’s on the playground or in a chat room.

Johannes said a bully uses aggression to control an individual and a group. Even in a chat room, they succeed if no one speaks up, she said.

She said the Senate bill is a good opportunity for a community to discuss and deal with the issue of aggression in children.

“My concern is that if it has no real bearing to the lives of our kids outside of the classroom laden with policies adults have to enforce, in schools already overburdened with policies, it’s going to mess up things worse. Kids know that,” Johannes said.

With hopes of learning from young students, Johannes is hitting the road next month to feature an anti-bullying workshop at four regional schools.

The Lawrence school district also will continue its work to keep up with changes. “We are taking these issues of bullying seriously,” Passman said. “We know it has ill effects on students in schools today, but also in the future as they grow into adults we want to make sure we do everything we can so that they aren’t experiencing any bullying or cyber bullying while they are in our district.”