CYBERBULLYING Session 3: How to cope with Cyberbullying How to keep safe in Cyberspace Compiled by Ed Gallagher Kirklees Youth Offending Team

HOW TO COPE WITH CYBERBULLYING If you were being bullied online, what would you do? ……………………………………………………………………………... …………………………………………………………………………...... ……………………………………………………………………………..

HOW TO KEEP SAFE IN CYBERSPACE What sort of things can you do to keep safe in cyber space? SAFETY

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO…. Block instant messages and emails. Ask a parent or teacher for help, or look at the Chatdanger website for advice on how to do this. Talk to someone you trust. This could be a teacher, parent, carer or friend. Schools have a responsibility to ensure that students aren’t bullied, and they can take action even if the bullying is happening outside school. Report serious bullying, such as physical or sexual threats, to the police. Report the bullying to the internet service provider (ISP) if the bullying happened online. Ask a parent or teacher for help, or look at Chatdanger, which has safety advice about mobiles and internet use. Report the bullying to your mobile phone provider if you’ve received bullying texts or calls on your mobile. You may even have to change your number if you're repeatedly bullied through your phone.

THE LAW AND CYBERBULLYING Although bullying is not a specific criminal offence in UK law, criminal and civil laws can apply in terms of, for example, harassment or threatening behaviour, and particularly relevant for cyberbullying – threatening and menacing communications:

Malicious Communications Act 1988 Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which has both criminal and civil provision. Malicious Communications Act 1988 Section 43 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 Communications Act 2003 Public Order Act 1986 Source : Ministry of Justice 2013

IT CAN HAPPEN….. A 49-year-old Middlesbrough mother was found guilty in a landmark cyber-bullying case stemming from the suicide of a teenager who killed herself after being sent taunting emails. Lori Drew was convicted on three counts of illegally accessing computers without authorisation. Prosecutors said Drew faced up to three years in prison and a £300,000 fine, although no sentencing date had yet been set. Lori Drew has since lost her job, and her husband has left her. This whole experience has wrecked many lives, not just hers.

YOUR FINAL THOUGHTS

FINAL THOUGHTS Treat others with respect online Use free email addresses that you can delete at any time. Keep all passwords secret and do not share them with anyone else. If you don’t want the world to know, then don’t post it online. Never post personal information online that can identify you in anyway.

WHERE TO GET HELP…. NSPCC through Childline 08001111. www.cyberbullyhelp.com. Great resource www.stopcyberbullying.org.uk specific site dedicated to helping. www.stopbullying.gov.uk another great site. www.parentfurther.com a good resource for parents that want to learn more and spot the signs. www.clickceop.net really helpful advice Samaritans 08457909090 Your school, youth worker, carer or mum/dad will be there to help too.

References: Session 2 slide 7,8,9 & 10 – Cyberbullying Questionnaire: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/kids/are_you_a_cyberbully.html Session 2 slide 6 – Effects of Cyberbullying: http://www.teachtoday.eu/en/Teacher-advice/Cyberbullying/What-are-the-effects-of-cyberbullying.aspx Session 2 slide 5 – Phoebe Prince Case Study: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/phoebe-prince-south-hadley-high-school-new-girl-driven-suicide-teenage-cyber-bullies-article-1.165911 Session 3 slide 4 – What you should do: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/parents/guide.html Session 3 slide 5 & 6 – The Law and Cyberbullying: http://www.legislation.gov.uk Session 3 slide 8 – Final Thoughts : http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/take_action/take_a_stand_against_cyberbullying.html

Learning Outcomes What have you learnt from this session. ……………………………………………………………………………...