Stop Cyberbullying
Let's Make the Internet Safe Again
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is the use of the Internet to bully someone. It typically consist of hateful or threatening message sent over the Internet to the victim with the a goal to inflect emotional harm.
Examples of Cyberbullying
- Mean text or emails
- Rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites
- Embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles
Three differences between cyberbulling & 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 any time of the day or night.
- Cyberbullying messages and images 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
- Use of alcohol and drugs
- Skip school
- Receive poor grades
- Have lower self-esteem
- Have more health problems
Prevention & 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
- Make sure they use their computers, cell phones, and other technology appropriately.
- Encourage your kids think about what they post online and who they want to see it.
- Tell your kids to keep passwords safe and not share with friends
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
- 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 users abusing the terms of service.
Report to your local Law Enforcement
- Threats of violence
- Stalking or hate crimes
- Taking a photo or video of someone in a place they would expect privacy
Report to your School
- Cyberbullying can create a disruptive environment at school and is often related to in-person bullying. The school can use the information to help inform prevention and response strategies.
- In many states, schools are required to address cyberbullying in their anti-bullying policy. Some state laws also cover off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment.