Stop Cyberbullying
Stop being mean on the screen
Examples of Cyberbullying
- Mean text messages or emails
- Rumors posted on social media or sent through email
- Embarrassing photos, videos, websites, or fake profiles
Three Differences Between Cyberbullying & Bullying
- Cyberbullying can happen 24/7, and even when the victim is alone.
- Cyberbullying is difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source because it can be posted anonymously and can be distributed to a wide audience very quickly.
- Deleting inappropriate or harassing texts, pictures, and messages is very difficult after they have been sent or posted.
Effects of Cyberbullying
- Have lower self-esteem
- Skip school
- Experience bullying in real life, not just electronically
- Use drugs and/or alcohol
- Have more health problems
Prevention & Awareness
Adults can better understand what kids are doing online by;
- Knowing the sites your kids visit and their online activities
- Having a sense of what they do online and in texts
- Encouraging your kids to tell you if they or someone they know is being cyberbullied
- Asking to "follow" or "friend" them on social media sites or having a trusted adult do so
- Asking them for their passwords, but telling them they'll only use them in an emergency
Establishing Rules
- Be clear about what sites are allowed and not allowed
- Tell them not to post anything embarrassing or potentially harmful to themselves and others
- Tell them to keep their passwords safe and to not share them
Reporting a Cyberbully
If you are being cyberbullied,
- Don't respond to or forward cyberbullying messages
- Keep evidence of cyberbullying by recording dates, times, and descriptions of instances when it has occurred. Do this by saving and printing screenshots, emails, and text messages.
- Block the cyberbully
Report to Your Online Service Provider
- Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing the terms of service
- Visit social media safety centers to learn how to block users and change settings to control who is allowed to contact you
Report to Your Local Law Enforcement
Activities involving cyberbullying that should to contacting the Law include:
- Threats of violence
- Stalking and hate crimes
- Taking a video or photo of someone in a place they would expect privacy
Report to Your School
Schools can help with cyberbullying by:
- Using the information to help inform prevention and response strategies
- Addressing cyberbullying in their anti-bullying policy