What is it?
If a child, preteen or teen is threatened, tormented, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or targeted by another child, preteen, or teen online it is known as Cyber-bullying. Cyber- bullying utilizes more than just the internet, bullying can also occur cell phones and interactive and digital technology. Both sides must be minor or at least be devised by a minor to consider it to be cyber bullying, if by an adult it is known as cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking.
How does it work?
Below are the ten most common forms of cyber-bullying:
1) instant messaging/ text messaging
2) stealing passwords
3) blogs
4) web sites
5) sending pictures through email and cell phones
6) internet polling
7) interactive gaming
8) sending malicious code
9) sending porn and other junk email and IM's
10) Impersonation
How does it affect young people?
The i-SAFE America research team did a survey on cyber-bullying. This is their disturbing discovery.
42% of kids have been bullied online.
58% admit that someone has said something mean or hurtful to them online.
53% admit having said something mean or hurtful things to someone else online.
Serious forms of cyber-bullying have resulted in suicidal in young people.
How do you prevent cyber-bullying?
There is no one solution to prevent cyber-bullying. Some basic tips to help include teaching kids about what will happen if they cyber-bully, such as taking away ISP or IM accounts. Also make sure you are sending things to the right place and/or person and make sure it arrives and the right person gets it. The one person kids should trust when things go wring online and off should be the parents. When things go wrong online, things get ugly very quickly and consequences can be very serious on both sides.
Also, do not give out personal information such as passwords, pins, name, address, phone number, school name, or family or friends names. Don't send pictures or give out email addresses to people you meet on the internet. Deleting messages from people you don't know can also help. In addition always remember that online conversations are not private!
What can you do once cyber-bullying has occurred?
Here are four steps to take after you have been cyber-bullied:
Netiquette
1) Stop- don't do anything
1) Take five- calm down and analyze the situation
2) Block- Block the bully! Limit all communications to those on your buddy list
3) Tell- tell a trusted adult, you shouldn't have to go through this by yourself
What are some options for victims?
Tell your parents! They can help you. If you receive serious threats, going to the police can be the answer to the issue. If you know who the cyber-bully is, try contacting the individual's parents or guardians. Do not reply to the bully, it is hard to take back angry words; you might actually become a cyber-bully yourself!
What are some benefits of using the web?
The internet can be a valuable source for research. It can also be a source of entertainment. There are many online sites that are made for games. The internet also offers another form of communication. Email is a simple quick way to talk to friends and send reports and information to people. It can be a very useful resource used for good and it can help productivity.
What are some problems with using the web?
Unfortunately, through email, people can send malicious messages and threats to each other as well as other forms of harassment known as cyber-bullying. Also on gaming sites, interaction with unknown individuals can also have consequences of cyber-bullying. Not only problems with harassment, but viruses can be downloaded of gaming sites as well. The internet can be a helpful but dangerous place.
