We know that Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is not exactly sound-bite challenged. But he was never more on target than he was in speaking to the tragic cyberbullying incident that resulted in the suicide of a 12-year-old girl. After acknowledging that social media can be a lethal game-changer, Judd zeroed in on the key, old-school variable: parents. They’re still in charge, still responsible for their minor children.
“Don’t be their best friend,” admonished Judd. “Be their best parent.”
It speaks volumes, of course, that this even needs to be said, but in an age of self-esteem-driven parentage, it definitely does.