Stop Cyberbullying!!
Hurt People, Hurt People..
What is Cyberullying?
Cyberbullying is when someone goes on the internet (mostly directed to social media sites) and calls someone mean names and spreads rumors about them to other people repeatedly.
Examples of Cyberbullying
- mean text messages or emails
- rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites
- embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles
Three diffrences between cyberbullying and bullying
- Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen anytime of the day or night.
- Cyberbullying messages and image can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.
- Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.
Effects of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has cause kids to
- use alcohol and drugs
- skip school
- be unwilling to attend school
- have lower self-esteem
- have health
Prevention and Awareness
- Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities. Ask where they're going. what they're doing, and who they're doing it with.
- Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use.
- Ask for their passwords, but tell them you'll only use them in case of emergency.
- Ask to "friend" or "follow" your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so.
- Encourage your kids to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.
Establishing Rules
- Do not share information that could hurt or embarrass yourself or others.
- Keep your passwords safe and do not share them with friends.
- Think about who you want to see the information and pictures you post online.
Reporting a Cyberbully
Steps to immediately take when reporting a cyberbully
- Don't respond to and don't forward cyberbullying messages.
- Keep evidence of cyberbullying. Record the dates, times, and descriptions of instances when cyberbullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages. Use this evidence to report cyberbullying to web and cell phone service providers.
- Block the person who is cyberbullying.
Report to your online service provider
Two ways to report to online service provider
- Visit social media safety centers to learn how to block users and change settings to control who can contact you.
- Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against user abusing the terms of service.
Report to your local law Enforcement
Three cyberbullying activities that should lead to contacting the law:
- Child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos.
- Taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy.
- Stalking and Hate crimes.
Report to your school
Two ways schools can help with cyberbullying:
- Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related to in-person bullying. The school can use the info to help inform prevention and response strategies.
- In many states, school are required to address cyberbullying in their anti-bullying policy. Some states laws also cover off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment.