Cyberbullying Bullying Goes High Tech

Jim MasucciNovember 10, 2010

“It’s one thing when you get made fun of at school, but to be bullied in your own home, via your computer, is a disgusting thing for people to do.” Sixteen year old from Alabama

What is Cyberbullying?

Being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using technological means

An individual or group that uses

information and communication involvingelectronic technologies to facilitatedeliberate and repeated harassment orthreats to an individual or group.

Also known as: ‘Electronic Bullying’ & ‘Online Social Cruelty’

Tools for Cyberbullying Cell Phones – calls

or messages Internet

Electronic Mail Instant Messaging Blogs Social Networks Chat Rooms Defamatory Web

Sites (Polling)

Why Cyberbullying?

The Internet has become a way of life for most teens, and an easy tool for harassing others.

91% of 12 – 15 year olds use the Internet

99% of teens 16 – 18 use the Internet

Available 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk

Victim is a perpetual target

Why Cyberbullying? (cont)

Traditional bullying – the bully is usually stronger than his or her victim either physically or socially. Usually occurs in the school setting (classroom, playground, or bus).

Cyberbullying - Internet tends to level the playing field, affording less dominant teens the means they need to bully others. Sometimes used in revenge for traditional bullying.

How Big a Problem Is It? 42% of teens surveyed admitted to

being bullied on-line 35% claim to have been threatened. 53% confessed to having said

something mean or hurtful on-line. (I-Safe 2007)

More girls than boys are cyberbullied. For teens that are regular visitors to

social networking sites, the chances of them being cyberbullied goes up.

Only 15% of parents knew what cyberbullying was

Types of Cyberbullies Avenging Angel - use technical means to get

back at someone who has been bullying them, or one of their friends.

Power Hungry - Closest to traditional school yard bully. Tends to feel superior, and exerts his or her strengths over the victim.

Types of Cyberbullies (cont.) Mean Girls - Work in

groups, and need an audience to play to. The group tends to approve of the actions, or do nothing about them.

Inadvertent Bully – Probably don’t even realize they are doing something wrong. Ex : passing on gossip or pictures or answering polls.

Forms of Cyberbullying Flaming – Saying mean or hurtful things Harassment and cyberstalking - repeated

actions such as sending messages, or threats to a victim.

Denigration – putting someone down Outing – spreading secret or embarrassing

information or pictures Exclusion - intentionally excluding a person

by leaving them off of the list. Impersonation – pretending to be someone

else

Cyberbullying – It’s Illegal

All of the following forms of cyberbulling can lead to arrest & prosecution:

Making threats of violence to people or their property

Making obscene or harassing phone calls

Harassment or stalking Hate or bias crimes Creating or sending sexually explicit

images of teens Posting real or doctored photos of

someone without their permission Taking a photo of someone in place

where privacy expected

Impacts of Cyberbullying Feelings of guilt or self

blame Sleep difficulties Poor performance in

school Violence against

tormentors. Victims are 8X more likely to bring a weapon to school

Suicide

What Should You Do? Teens

Do not respond in a similar manner. Block the screen names if possible.

Do not forward anything Do not delete messages Consult an adult Safeguard user ID’s and

passwords.

“A password is like a tooth brush. Choose a good one, and don’t share it.” (Yahoo Security Center)

What Should You Do? Parents

Take the situation seriously, and be supportive.

Don’t blame the victim. Increase tech awareness. Monitor computer use.

(Software & placement of computer)

Contact ISP and cell phone provider. Contact law enforcement, if threatened.

What Should You Do? Teachers and SchoolsIf the incident occurs during

school, investigate and respond.

Otherwise : Respond if the incident

causes disruptions. Provide counseling to the

perpetrators and the victims

Develop anti-bulllying programs to educate students

Teach Our Children All actions have consequences Cyber bullying hurts They are just being used and

manipulated by cyber bully Cyber bully and accomplices

often become the target of cyber bullying themselves

Care about others and stand up for what’s right

Legal Issues for Schools Privacy Issue – Does a school have the right

to search a student’s computer for evidence. Free Speech Issue – Does the school have

the right to discipline a student for remarks published on the Internet during non-school hours.

Sexting

Sending sexually suggestive messages or images to others via cell phone, or posting them on social websites.

Surveys of teenagers :- 20 percent have sent or posted picture of themselves - 40 percent of teenagers have sent sexually suggestive messages.- More girls than boys

Technology is much more far-reaching and permanent, and teenagers are not consequential thinkers . . . They are pushing boundaries around sexuality.

Sexting – Legal Consequenses

Worst Case scenario Possession or distribution of Child

Pornography Possible inclusion on sex offenders

registry.More likely Suspension or expulsion from school. Probation and attend counseling

Additional Sources

http://www.scottmcleod.net/ties2006

http://www.stopcyberbulling.com

http://www.nertsmartz.org

http://www.isafe.org