Cyber Bullying

“WHAT MAKES CYBER BULLYING SO DANGEROUS…IS THAT ANYONE CAN PRACTICE IT WITHOUT HAVING TO

CONFRONT THE VICTIM. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE STRONG OR FAST, SIMPLY EQUIPPED WITH A CELL PHONE OR A COMPUTER AND A WILLINGNESS TO

TERRORIZE.” (KING, 2006)

Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying Is Bullying…

Through EmailInstant messagingIn a chat roomOn a websiteThrough digital messages or images sent to a

cell phone

Direct and Indirect

Direct cyber bullying is messages directly to others, usually children or youth

Cyber bullying by proxy (indirect cyber bullying) is using others to help cyber bully a victim, with or without the accomplice’s consent

Types of Cyber Bullying

Flaming and flame wars- online “fights” using angry, vulgar language

Harassment – repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages

Denigration – posting information about another that is derogatory and untrue

Types of Cyber Bullying

Impersonation – breaking into an email account and sending vicious and embarrassing materials to others

Outing and trickery – sharing someone’s secrets or embarrassing information, or tricking someone into revealing such and forwarding it

Exclusion/Ostracism – blocking someone from buddy lists, chat rooms, etc.

Types of Cyber Bullying

Cyber stalking – repeatedly sending a messages that include threats of harm or of intimidating, or engaging in other online activities that make someone fear for their safety

Happy slapping – slapping someone usually a stranger, recording it, and posting the image online

Traditional Bullying versus Cyber Bullying

Both Aggressiveness Power imbalance Repetitiveness

Cyber Bullying

•Anonymous•Accessibility•No Punitive Fears•Bystanders•Disinhibition

What can a parent do?Keep your home computer(s) in

easily viewable places, such as a family room or kitchen

Talk regularly with your child about on-line activities he or she is involved in. Talk specifically about cyber bullying Encourage your child to tell you if he or she

is aware of others who may be the victims of such behavior

Explain that cyber bullying is harmful and unacceptable behavior 

What can a parent do?

Tell your child that you may review his or her on-line communications if you think there is reason for concern

Consider installing parental control filtering software and/or tracking programs, but don’t rely solely on these tools

Learn and teach your child “Netiquette”

Steps To Stop A Cyber Bully

Block future contact from the cyber bully

Contact your child’s school Consider contacting the

cyber bully’s parents Present proof of the cyber

bullying (e.g., copies of an e-mail message) and ask them to make sure the cyber bullying stops

Steps To Stop A Cyber Bully

Consider contacting an attorney Contact the police if cyber bullying

involves acts such as: Threats of violence Extortion Obscene or harassing phone calls or

text messages Harassment, stalking, or hate crimes Child pornography

If you are uncertain if cyber bullying violates your jurisdiction’s criminal laws, contact your local police, who will advise you.

For Parenting Online Booklet go to this web site:

http://wiredkids.org/parents/parentingonline/index.html

You will be able to read and download the booklet.

Internet Resources

http://www.wiredsafety.org/http://www.bullying.org/public/frameset.

cfm

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp

http://www.ncpc.org/topics/by-audience/parents/internet-safety

http://www.transported.org/the-facts-on-cyber-bullying/

http://www.cyberbullying.org/ http://www.zimbio.com/

How+to+stop+cyberbullies/articles/7/The+Facts+on+Cyber+Bullying

http://ikeepsafe.org/PRC/topics/?action=display_article&article_id=122