Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said Monday that two 12-year-olds were arrested for suspicion of misdemeanor battery, and a 13-year-old was booked for misdemeanor cyberbullying. They were released to their parents.

A total of eight boys are suspected in the Nov. 20 attacks on seven students at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas.

Authorities believe the shoves and kicks were prompted by a message referring to a "South Park" episode satirizing racial prejudice.

Nobody was seriously hurt.

A message left for the school superintendent was not immediately returned.

This story has many of the ingredients that define "modern day" adolescent existence;  Facebook and South Park, just to name two.  Teenagers face increasing pressures today at home and at school.  Their lives can be defined by others' perceptions of them and what "circle" of friends they are in.  With the ever-growing popularity of "New Media" -- social utility websites such as Facebook, MYSPACE, and Twitter -- and the increasing sophistication level of video games and television shows, ie. South Park, can we really expect anything different?  Not if we do not moniter the situations very closely.  Kids have access to information and opportunities to get into trouble that, even five years ago, seemed inconceivable.  And now, at least two 12-year olds and one 13-year old could be facing serious criminal juvenile charges.  As a highly regarded criminal defense attorney in Southern California, I have developed a particular sophistication in handling an innumerable number adult and juvenile criminal cases that have been affected by the so-called Age of New Media.  I understand  what it takes to successfully resolve these cases.  I understand that everyone makes mistakes and that momentary peer-pressured acts do not define an individual and, most importantly, should not hinder their future.  At the Law Offices of Richard M. Sudar, we know that kids involved in irresponsible criminal activity -- graffiti, cyberbullying, hazing, etc. -- need to be understood and dealt with appropriately.  Neither they nor society can afford anything less.  Simply locking them up and "throwing away the key" is  no solution, however.  For more information on this topic, and especially if you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, including juvenile cases, anywhere in Southern California, from Ventura County to San Diego, your first call should be to The Law Offices of Richard M. Sudar at (310) 277-4112, where trust, experience, results, and compassion come first.  For immdiate assistance, you may simply click here as well.