1 Cyberbullying National Crime Prevention Council 2011 © 2011 National Crime Prevention Council .

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Cyberbullying

National Crime Prevention Council

2011

© 2011 National Crime Prevention Council www.ncpc.org


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Goal of This Presentation

To inform participants of the tragic effects of cyberbullying and detail strategies for

preventing and responding to this form of abuse.

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ObjectivesTo identify and understand

• What is cyerbullying

• Various cyberbullying behaviors

• The tragic effects of cyberbullying

• The warning signs that a child is being cyberbullied

• Steps adults can take to prevent and address cyberbullying

© 2011 National Crime Prevention Councilwww.ncpc.org


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What is Cyberbullying?


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Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is using the Internet, cell phones, or other technology to send or post text or

images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.


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Examples of Cyberbullying

• Starting rumors through instant messaging• Name calling in chat rooms• Forwarding private messages to others• Insults through social media websites• Posting demeaning pictures of someone else• Making fake profiles on websites, such as

Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.


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Cyberbullying Differs From Traditional Bullying

Cyberbullying Traditional Bullying

Can be Anonymous Direct/In person

May occur in child’shome

Happens on school/community property

May seem inescapable Can escape at home

May be an extensionof traditional bullying


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Cyberbullying: The Facts

• Things posted online are visible to the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Cruel messages can be sent, forwarded, or viewed by virtually anyone.

• Messages can be sent in a split second.

• Cyberbullying can be an extension of bullying that youth are experiencing in school.

• It can be harsher because people tend to act differently online than in person.


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Facts and Figures

• Teens spend an average of 26.8 hours a week online.

• 72 percent of teens have some type of social networking profile.

• 60 percent of teens use instant messaging.

• 91 percent of teens have an e-mail address.

Source: Cox Communications 2009


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Facts and Figures (continued)

• 43 percent of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying.

• Cyberbullying victimization is higher among females than males.

– 36 percent of females report having experienced some form of cyberbullying compared to 33 percent of males.

• 16 percent of females and 18 percent of males report that they have cyberbullied.

Source: NCPC 2007


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Why Do Youth Cyberbully?

• 81 percent think “it’s funny.”• 64 percent say “they simply don’t like the

person.”• 45 percent “view the victim as a loser.”• 58 percent “probably didn’t see the action as a

big deal.”

Source: NCPC Teens and Cyberbully Survey, 2007


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Why Prevention Matters

• Bullying is not a rite of passage.

• Youth who are cyberbullied may lack a safe retreat.

• It can be emotionally damaging.

• You can empower youth to seek help and not suffer alone.


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Why Prevention Matters • Victim service providers report why youth chose not seek

help:

– 61 percent report that youth feel they can handle the situation on their own.

– 52 percent report youth are concerned about retaliation if they report.

– 37 percent believe youth are ashamed of the incident.

– 38 percent believe youth fear getting into trouble because of the incident.

Source: NCPC 2010 Cyberbullying Prevention Research


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Youth Testimonies

• “I think I could put up with a certain amount of bullying, but if it got really hurtful, I would speak out.”

• “Unless they are threatening your life or the life of someone you know, it shouldn’t matter.”

• “I think most kids are reluctant to tell someone because they think it makes them look like a little kid who is ‘tattling.’”


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Who Cyberbullies?

• Can come from any economic, cultural, or religious background

• Lack empathy

• Are concerned with their own desires rather than those of others

• Find it difficult to see things from someone else’s perspective

• Are willing to use others to get what they want


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How Does it Feel?

• Youth who are cyberbullied report– 55 percent feel angry

– 43 percent feel helpless

– 42 percent feel scared

– 36 percent feel vulnerable

– 23 percent are looking for revenge

Source: NCPC 2010 Cyberbullying Prevention Research


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How Do Victims React?

• Victims of cyberbullying have– Asked the bully to stop

– Blocked the communication

– Talked to friends about bullying

– Signed offline

– Did nothing

– Least likely response: talk to parents about the incident


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Spotting the Signs of Cyberbullying

• Emotional• Social/Behavioral• Academic


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Emotional Signs

• Withdrawal or shyness

• Depression

• Moody

• Irritable

• Anxiety

• Aggressive behavior

• Suicide ideation

• Loss of self-esteem


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Social/Behavioral

• Suddenly stops using computer• Upset after using computer or cell phone• Changes in eating or sleeping habits (e.g.,

nightmares)• No longer wanting to participate in activities

once enjoyed• Hurting self, attempting or threatening suicide• Suddenly changing or avoiding friends


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Academic

• Not wanting to go to school

• Skipping school

• Lost interest in school

• Drop in grades


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RED FLAG

The biggest red flag that a child is being cyberbullied is a withdrawal from technology. If you notice a sudden

change in computer or phone usage talk to the child, they may be a victim of

cyberbullying.


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Warning Signs That Someone is Cyberbullying Others

• Spends large amounts of time on computer• Hides or turns off monitor when someone

approaches• Appears anxious while using computer• Especially upset when technological privileges

are revoked


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Awareness Video


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Small Group Discussion

• Question 1: What are some things victim service providers, SROs, or school counselors can do within the school to prevent cyberbullying?

• Question 2: What types of training or resources should school staff and faculty receive on cyberbullying?

• Question 3: What is your school or community doing to address the issue of cyberbullying? What more could be done?


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What YOU Can Do


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Cyberbullying Prevention

• For Parents

• For Educators

• For Law Enforcement Officers

• For Community Partners


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Where Youth Go for Help

• 69 percent turn to parents.

• 52 percent reach out to friends.

• 23 percent talk with a teacher.

• 8 percent would call a victims’ hotline or victims’ advocate.

Source: NCPC 2010 Teen Nation Research


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Parents

• Learn what teens are doing online and keep track of their online behavior.

• Use the Internet with your children.• Talk with youth about cyberbullying—the

consequences and harmful effects.• Communicate online rules and responsibilities

to youth.• Keep computers in a highly trafficked room

where online activities are hard to hide.


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Educators

• Request that youth sign an Internet safety pledge promising not to cyberbully.

• Establish acceptable Internet use and anti-cyberbullying policies in school.

• Talk to and educate students on the issue of cyberbullying. Let students know where they can turn for help.

• Educate parents on the importance of creating Internet use rules at home.


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Law Enforcement Officers

• Stay up-to-date on cyberbullying issues and laws.

• Educate yourself on the latest technologies youth use.

• Speak out to students, parents, and educators about the dangers of the Internet.

• Talk with school officials about creating an anti-cyberbullying policy on school grounds.


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Community Partners

• Organize a community discussion on cybersafety involving students, parents, educators, law enforcement, etc.

• Provide counseling, extended service programs, or other youth programs or services.

• Work with school technology departments to make sure youth are being safe.

• Help recruit additional volunteers to take an active role in cyberbullying prevention.


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For Everyone

• Take complaints about cyberbullying seriously.

• Support the child being bullied.

• Reassure the child that he or she was right to tell you the problem.

• Empower youth witnessing the bullying.

• Work together to address the problem!


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Programs and Services


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NCPC Programs/Resources

•McGruff Club

•Community Works

•Be Safe and Sound

•Samantha’s Choice

•Public Service Advertising


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McGruff Club• Scripted lessons guide instructors

through classroom discussions and

activities for children in grades 1

through 4.

• Activities, incorporating proven

teaching strategies, develop children’s

critical thinking and communication

skills.

• Lessons build upon each other, so

children enhance their skills as they

age through the program.


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Community Works• Comprehensive curriculum which

includes 31 sessions on community

safety, violent crimes, substance

abuse, property crimes, hate crimes,

and bullying and cyberbullying.

• Lessons to guide young people

through a service-learning project

• Short warm-up activities that nurture

positive relationships among teens.


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Be Safe and SoundProgram Model

Step 1: Build an action team

Step 2: Assess safety and security issues

Step 3: Hold a school safety and security forum

Step 4: Develop an action plan

Step 5: Publicize activities

Step 6: Promote your cause

Step 7: Evaluate success

Engages school administrators, parents, students, law enforcement, and other community members in making school safer.


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Samantha’s Choice• Samanatha’s Choice is a five-

minute video that follows the story

of a young girl who is afraid to go

to ballet class, for fear of being

bullied. Specifically aimed at

respect in the community, this new

anti-bullying animated short has an

educator’s guide with instructions

on how to use the video in a

classroom or club setting.


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NCPC Public Service Advertising

For more information on NCPC’s Public Service Advertising, please visit www.ncpc.org.


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Whom To Contact

• Local Law Enforcement-There is no national law against cyberbullying. Your local law enforcement is your best first resource.

• National Center for Victims Of Crime Helpline: 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-395-2255)

• Suicide Prevention Hotline:1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)


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Additional Resources• www.wiredsafety.org

-Provides Internet safety information for children, teens, and adults

• www.stopcyberbullying.org

-Provides cyberbullying prevention and Internet safety information for parents, teachers, police officers, and children and youth

• www.stopbullyingnow.org

-Provides information for adults and children on cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying

• www.bullypolice.org

• Lists cyberbullying laws state by state


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Question and Answers?


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The National Crime Prevention Council

2001 Jefferson Davis Highway

Suite 901

Arlington, VA 22202

202-466-6272

202-296-1356 fax

www.ncpc.org

*This project was produced by Grant No. 2009-SZ-B9-K007 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.


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Presenter Contact Information

1 Cyberbullying National Crime Prevention Council 2011 © 2011 National Crime Prevention Council .

Documents

cyberbullying cyberbullying

percent of teens

percent report youth

form of cyberbullying

percent of females report

percent of males report

prevention matters bullying

address cyberbullying