Cyberbullying
By Bella Jones
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. Types of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
Facts/Statistics about Cyberbullying
43% of kids have been bullied online
1 in 10 victims tell an adult they are being bullied
58% of kids say that someone has said something hurtful to them online
30% of kids go on to self harm as a result of bullying
10% of kids have attempted to commit suicide
People who have been bullied are more likely to develop mental illnesses in adulthood
Examples of Cyberbullying
Ryan Halligan
Ryan struggled academically and physically, which made him a regular target for bullying. One day, a bully befriended Ryan and Ryan eventually told that bully an extremely personal secret. That bully went on to spread a rumor that Ryan was gay. Ryan got tormented so much he killed himself.
Megan Meier
Megan befriended a boy named Josh on a social media site and the two became extremely close friends. They had never met in person before. One day Josh said he did not want to be friends with Megan anymore and told Megan that the world would be a better place without her. Soon other students started writing horrible things on her wall. She hanged herself three weeks before her 14th birthday.
Jessica Logan
Jessica sent nude photos of herself to her boyfriend and they eventually came out on the internet. She started to get cyberbullied for this and could not escape it. She killed herself a short time after.
How to Prevent/Report Cyberbullying
Ways to Prevent and Report Cyberbullying
Call LIFELINE at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you are being bullied
Reach out and tell an adult you are being bullied
Stay off social media or have a friend help you
Do not retaliate against the bully, but save the evidence and show it to an adult
Take action if you see someone else being bullied, do not just let it happen
Report to someone you are being bullied, do not stay quite and let them win