**The following information was developed and provided by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s TECHNICOOL program. For information on TECHNICOOL please visit www.technicoolvt.org.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is any form of bullying behavior that happens using communication technologies
such as:
- Cell phones
- Computers and the internet
- Gaming devices
Keep in mind that Cyberbullying behaviors are:
-
Willful
-
Repeated
-
Intending to harm another person
-
Carried out through a communication device
What are some examples of Cyberbullying?
- Sharing inappropriate pictures or videos of someone without permission
- Sharing private conversations with others
- Sometimes referred to as Outing
- Posting mean comments
- Creating hate sites
- Stealing someone’s password
- If you steal someone’s password and then pretend to be them, this is known as Impersonation
Why might people Cyberbully?
- They think its funny
- To be popular
- Jealous of the target
- Get a reaction
- They can remain anonymous
- Retaliate for being bullied first (#1 reason)
But remember, no matter what the motivation is, Cyberbullying is never an appropriate behavior.
Cyberbullying is harmful, hurtful, disrespectful, and against the law.
Why might targets of Cyberbullying remain silent?
- Don’t think it is serious enough
- Afraid of losing technology/internet privileges
- Think they will get in trouble because they weren’t using technology/internet appropriately
The best way for the Cyberbullying to end is for youth to ask a trusted adult for help and having their support.
If I am a student and I am being Cyberbullied, what can I do?
- Tell a trusted adult
- Print or save the message for evidence
- Delete the message (only after you’ve told and/or showed an adult)
- Set a positive example by not bullying back
- Block/Ignore them
- Use the Report Abuse button to notify the system administrator they are not using the site appropriately
- Take them off your contact/friends list
If I am a parent and I find out my child is being Cyberbullied, what can I do?
- Be approachable and supportive
- Believe what your child is telling you
- Collect evidence
- Contact the school
- Contact the parents of the bullying child
- Contact the service provider
- Teach your child to not retaliate
If I am a parent and find out my child is Cyberbullying, what can I do?
- Teach them empathy
- Explain the hurtful nature of Cyberbullying
- Apply reasonable consequences
- Set firm limits and follow through
- Closely monitor computer, cell phone, and gaming usage
Other Facts About Cyberbullying:
- 85% of middle school students who were polled reported being Cyberbullied at least once
- 38% of Cyberbullying occurrences happen using a cell phone and 39% happen using social networking sites
- 70% of Cyberbullying comes from friends or acquaintances.
- Girls ages 14-17 are most at risk followed by boys ages 10-13
For more information visit:
Works Cited:
Common Sense Media. “Cyberbullying—Damage in a Digital Age: A Common Sense Media
White Paper,” 2010.
Hinduja, Sameer and Patchin, Justin. “Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard,” 2009.
OnGuard Online, “Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online,” 2010.
Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. “Internet Safety Tool Kit,” 2009.
Willard, Nancy.”Cyber Savvy Kids: A Guide for Parents,” 2010.
**The above information is sponsored by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s technology safety program, TECHNICOOL.
For more information about PCAVT or TECHNICOOL please visit www.pcavt.org or www.technicoolvt.org. If you have questions, want to learn more, or find out how to bring TECHNICOOL training to your school, call 1-800-CHILDREN.
Spotlight on Cyberbullying
What is “cyber” bullying?Cyberbullying shares the hallmarks of traditional bullying; aggressive behavior directed at another that is repeated over time and involves a real or perceived imbalance of power or strength. (1) Cyberbullying includes communications through email, instant messaging, chat room exchanges, online multiplayer game environments, Web site posts, or digital messages or images sent to a cell phone, by an individual or group, with the intent to harm, intimidate, or humiliate another. Cyberbullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens. Examples of Cyberbullying There are two kinds of cyberbullying, direct attacks (messages sent to your kids directly) and cyberbullying by proxy (using others to help cyberbully the victim, either with or without the accomplice’s knowledge). (2) Examples of Direct Attacks |
What can we do about it?Facts and Myths about Bullying from StopBullying.gov, information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. The Parent Guide to Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats from The Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use. This downloadable .pdf contains guidelines to prevent your child from being victimized by or engaging in online harmful behavior. Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens Helping Young People Learn to Make Safe and Responsible Choices Online from www.cyberbully.org is a guide focused on helping parents apply effective real world parenting skills to cyberspace. What if my kid is the bully? Links to report cyberbullying for the following services: |
References
1. Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2009). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
2. How Cyberbullying Works, http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/how_it_works/index.html
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