Cyberbullying: a social problemBy: Camila PadillaElectronic media provides people a new environment to misuse technology and anonymously bully others, anywhere, and at all times. -Edwina Thomas WashingtonWhat Is Cyberbullying?

Harmful, cruel, or false text messagesInappropriate photos or videos of someone else CYBERBULLYING IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM!Digital repeated intimidationOccurs in elementary, middle and high school, colleges/universities, and in the workplaceProliferation of physical to verbal and psychological abuseCauses anxiety, depression, physical harm, suicide...Bully reaches victim onlineOccurs anywhere in the worldDigital harassmentSometimes anonymousIllegal Bullying vs. Cyberbullying Face-to-faceCan find a safe place or escapeLimited to onlookersBully can be identifiedCan see facial and body reaction of target and onlookers24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days/yearNo safe place - hard to escapeShared by a wide audience - can go viral in a matter of secondsCan be anonymous Harder to empathize with the targetNo geographical limitations

8 Different Forms of Cyberbullying

OutingTrickeryFlamingDenigrationImpersonationCyberstalking Harassment Exclusion

How does cyberbullying violate the nine norms of digital citizenship?Intimidation inhibits the victim from free accessPrevents the victim from communicating and collaborating with other digital usersTechnology is used inappropriately to harm othersUnethical use is manifested through the invasion of the victims personal property Venting personal information of the victim is considered as a violation of the persons unalienable rightsPhysical and psychological wellness of the victim is threatened Victims digital security is endangered

Technology = additional mechanism to reach victims

Source: TRU Insights & McAfee, May 2012Cyberbullying is more devastating than traditional bullying because the harmful or false information shared online can be communicated to a wider audience. -Edwina Washington

43% of teens are cyberbullied annually ...only 10% report the abuse to their parents

Cyberbullying and SchoolsK-12 schools only address on-campus cyberbullying policies-off-campus incidents are up to the parentsHigher education institutions do not often have established cyberbullying policies Federal laws DO NOT directly address cyberbullying, but make ILLEGAL commerce communications that include threats to another person

Recommended prevention-intervention strategies:Stricter policies enacted in school systems Lessons on cyberbullying for students, parents, and teachers.Establish cyberbullying programs to keep students safe and protectedInvite cybercops (local police department) to speak at the schoolCreate a plan to report and document cyberbullying

Recommendations for School Administrators

How can parents target cyberbullying?

Behavior changes. Is his behavior especially concerning while he's using digital devices?Slipping grades. If schoolwork is suffering, there could be a problem.Moodiness. She's only happy when she's texting or on the computer - or she's only happy when she isn't doing it.Habitual use. His phone is constantly buzzing and he's using the computer or texting at all hours.Secretive or evasive behavior. She won't let you see anything she does online or on her phone; she switches screens quickly when you walk by.Multiple accounts. Having several different online profiles for one social network (each with different user names and email addresses) isn't necessary, so it could be a red flag.STOP and THINK before you CLICK!Helpful websites on cyberbullying!StopBullying.govStompOutBullying.orgCyberbullying.usTheBullyProject.com

Other resources!BULLY (Documentary Film) Cyberbullying (Movie)

ReferencesCollier, A. (2009). A Better Safety Net. School Library Journal, 55(11), 36-38 Miller, J. D., Hufstedler, S. M., & Australian Teacher Education Association, (. (2009). Cyberbullying Knows No Borders. Australian Teacher Education AssociationMitchell M. Cyberbullying And Academic Achievement: Research Into The Rates Of Incidence, Knowledge Of Consequences, And behavioral Patterns Of Cyberbullying [e-book]. ProQuest LLC; 2011. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed May 18, 2015.Simmons, K. D., & Bynum, Y. P. (2014). Cyberbullying: Six Things Administrators Can Do. Education, 134(4), 452-456Washington, E. T. (2015). An Overview of Cyberbullying in Higher Education. Adult Learning, 26(1), 21-27.