Cyberbullying

ABSTRACT This PowerPoint presentation will discuss the meaning of Cyber bullying, who is impacted by it and some helpful strategies for counselors, students and parents to use in preventing it. Cyber bullying is the use of technology to degrade or humiliate another person or group according to http://www.thinkuknow.org.au/site/site/stop.asp. Cyber bullying is never acceptable. Young people need to know how to deal with this new cyber bullying epidemic.

WHAT IS CYBER BULLYING? Cyber Bulling takes place using electronic technology. It can be in the form of text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites or fake profiles. All these are forms of electronic bullying.

HOW TO TALK ABOUT CYBERBULLYING Keep lines of communication open with your students their parents Help students understand what bullying is Tell students bullying is unacceptable in any form on school grounds i.e. playground, bus and school activities Encourage students to do what they love; special hobbies and activities to boost their confidence and make other friends besides being on social media sites

WHO IS CYBERBULLIED Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)youth are at an increased risk Students with disabilities or other special health needs Race, ethnicity or national origin may also be a factor Students with visible symbols of their religions (hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes )

WARNING SIGNS OF CYBERBULLING Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness Changes in eating habits Difficulty sleeping or nightmares Drop in grades Exhibiting nervous or fearful behavior about attending school or riding the bus Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem Self destructive behaviors (running away from home, self harming or talk of suicide)

Teach your child not to laugh at or join in bullying WHAT CAN I DO IF MY CHILD TELLS ME HE OR SHE IS A BYSTANDER? (A bystander is a student who sees another student being bullied.) Teach your child not to laugh at or join in bullying Tell your child to join with other bystanders and “stand up together” to convince the bully to back down Help your child learn how to help the victim walk away Assure your child that he/she can tell a trusted adult in the school

PREVENTION INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS Educate yourself Protect your password Keep photos “PG” Never open unidentified or unsolicited messages Log out of online accounts Pause before you post Raise awareness Setup privacy controls “Google” yourself Don’t be a cyberbully yourself

PREVENTION INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Be aware of what your students are doing online Know the sites your students visit Ask for students passwords for “in case of emergency” only Foster your child’s confidence; assure him/her they are not to blame Find out what your child’s school’s bullying plan is; work collaboratively with school personnel to address the problem Help your child to develop new friends Stay informed of what your child is doing and with whom he or she is socializing with

OTHER FORMS OF BULLYING Physical bullying includes punching, poking, hair pulling, beating, biting, and strangling. Verbal bullying includes name calling, teasing, and gossiping. Emotional bullying includes rejecting, terrorizing, extorting, blackmailing, isolating, and defaming. Sexual bullying includes sexual propositioning or sexual harassment.

ReferenceS www.thinkuknow.org.au/site/site/stop.asp www.cyberbullying.us www.jefferson.kyschools.us/Departments/SafeDrugFreeSchools/parents/Vbullying.html