Cyberbullying

CYBER BULLYING

WHAT IS CYBER BULLYING?

Cyber-bullying is when the use of internet, cell phones, or any technological device is used with the intent of sending messages or images in which embarrass, harass, or hurt another individual.

WHERE DOES IT OCCUR? The most common place cyber- bullying occurs is outside

of school. Usually in the homes of the bullies.

Over computer and text messaging

With this mind, parents are usually unaware of the actions of their children (bully) as this happens.

WHEN DO BULLIES ATTACK? Bullies target the child that seems is the most vulnerable

These are the children that are weak, passive, and do not defend themselves

Bullies also look to degrade and discriminate those are not like them according to: Race Religion Disabilities (physically and mentally) Capabilities (academic performance, athletics, etc.)

WEAPONS USED

Computers

Cell Phones

Online/ Group Chats

Cameras

Peers

STATISTICS OF CYBER- BULLYING

• 74% of adolescent girls ages 12 to 18 spend the majority of their time online in chat rooms or sending instant messages and email

• More than 1 in every 3 children have repeatedly bullied

• 42% of kids have been bullied while online

WHAT SHOULD THE VICTIM DO?

DO NOT respond to the bullyThis increases your chance of escalating

the problem and causing more trouble for yourself

INSTEAD…NEVER delete the messages a bully

sends to you, they are PROOF that they are guilty!

Save them, take a picture of them, or email them to the principal or an official

Tell a friend or family member you can trust and confide in

PARENTS OF VICTIMSIf you see your child dreading to go to school, decline in academic

performance, and in a depressed mood, a red flag should go up, signifying something is bothering your child.

Without intervening too much at first, you should see if a child can handle the situation alone.

If NOT…Contact guidance counselors of the school if the bully is in the same

school, if that does not work, parents must contact the parents of the bully.

Usually, this is a very effective method to solve this incident, therefore ending this act of bullying peacefully.

Lastly… But, if the Cyber Bully is sending threats, intimidation messages or obscene material, then police authorities need to be notified immediately. Usually at this level, professional help for the victim seems the next step to helping the victim

Works CitedGracie, D. "Stop Cyber Bullying!" [Sic]." South Carolina Nurse 17.1 (2010): 4. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 3 May 2012.

Kowalski, Robin M., Sue Limber, and Patricia W. Agatston. Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age. Malden, MA.: Blackwell Pub., 2008. Print. Miller, Christa. "Cyber Stalking Bullying." Law Enforcement Technology 33.4 (2006): 18. Associates Programs Source. Web. 3 May 2012.

WOJCIK, JOANNE. "Cyber Bullying Lawsuits Test Schools' Legal Reach." Business Insurance 46.10 (2012): 6. Business Source Complete. Web. 3 May 2012.