CYBERBULLYING Session 2: What are the effects of Cyberbullying? What are you? Compiled by Ed Gallagher Kirklees Youth Offending Team

A CASE STUDY OF EFFECTS DO NOT INCLUDE THIS IS LEARNERS PACK, THIS IS FOR THE FACILITATOR TO READ OUT 0 The case of Phoebe Prince 0 Nine Massachusetts teens were indicted Monday for driving a pretty 15-year-old "new girl" from Ireland to suicide in a case that has become a symbol of high school bullying. The sweeping charges - which come after months of complaints that the bullies weren't being punished - include statutory rape, violation of civil rights with bodily injury, criminal harassment and stalking. 0 Phoebe Prince, a new arrival at South Hadley High School from a tiny seaside hamlet in County Clare, was mercilessly tormented by a cadre of classmates later dubbed the "Mean Girls" by Massachusetts newspapers. "The investigation revealed relentless activity directed toward Phoebe designed to humiliate her and to make it impossible for her to remain at school," District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel said. "The bullying, for her, became intolerable.“ Students said Phoebe was called "Irish slut" and "whore" on Twitter, Craigslist, Facebook and Formspring. 0 Her books were routinely knocked out of her hands, items were flung at her, her face was scribbled out of photographs on the school walls, and threatening text messages were sent to her cell phone. Scheibel said she had drawn the ire of the "Mean Girls" by briefly dating a popular senior football player in her first freshman weeks at the school. One student later said it felt like the whole school ganged up on her. 0 On Jan. 14, Phoebe was harassed and threatened in the school library and in a hallway, Scheibel said. As she walked home, one of the "Mean Girls" drove by and threw a can of Red Bull at her. Phoebe walked into her house and hung herself in a stairwell. The nastiness didn't even end there. Her tormentors posted vicious comments on the dead girl's Facebook memorial page. For months, community anger simmered that no punishment had befallen Phoebe's bullies. Petitions were signed and town hall meetings held. Scheibel said her investigators were taking the time to investigate thoroughly, and she slammed "the inexplicable lack of cooperation from Internet service providers, in particular Facebook and Craigslist.“ Seven of the nine teens indicted were girls charged with a range of crimes, from criminal harassment to stalking to civil rights violations. A juvenile girl was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon - the Red Bull can. The two males, 17 and 18, were charged with statutory rape. Unveiling the indictments, Scheibel said numerous faculty members, staff members and administrators at South Hadley High School were aware of the bullying - some even witnessed physical abuse - and did nothing. She said the investigation looked at whether the adults' failure to help Phoebe amounted to criminal behaviour. "In our opinion, it did not," she said. "Nevertheless, the actions - or inactions - of some adults at the school are troublesome.“ Source:

A CASE STUDY OF THE EFFECTS PHOEBE PRINCE committed suicide on January 14 th 2011 Moved to the US from Ireland Books routinely knocked out of her hands Items were always thrown at her Threatening text messages sent Called “irish slut” and whore Constant abuse on Twitter, Facebook and others Began as she dated a popular boy She said she felt the whole school hated her Did not stop after her death…continued abuse online Local community signed petitions asking for justice Went after internet providers wanting answers Charges were brought against some of the instigators Damning evidence against teachers who ignored the abuse Changes needed to be made to stop it happening again.

CYBERBULLYING HAPPENS! 0 Look at the video and see if you can relate to the story being told. Click on the link below to activate the video, or copy it onto your address bar. 0 aspx aspx

EFFECTS OF CYBERBULLYING 0 What do you think the effects of cyberbullying are? EFFECTS OF CYBERBULLYING

Lack of confidence Poor school attendance Suicidal thoughts Poor school achievement Increased stress Stress related health issues Effects career Marginalised from groups Fuels prejudices, i.e race, religion, sexuality Fear Depression/ anxiety Retaliation/ violence Increased substance use Source:

ARE YOU A BULLY OR A VICTIM…OR BOTH! HAVE YOU EVER? 1. Signed on with someone elses screen name to get info? 2. Sent an or online greeting from someone else’s account? 3. Impersonated someone over IM or online? 4. Teased or frightened someone over IM or online?

ARE YOU A BULLY OR A VICTIM…OR BOTH! HAVE YOU EVER? 5. Not told someone who you really are online? 6. Forwarded a private message without permission? 7. Changed your profile or a message designed to embarrass or frighten someone? 8. Posted pictures without consent? 9. Created an internet poll without permission?

ARE YOU A BULLY OR A VICTIM…OR BOTH! HAVE YOU EVER? 10. Used information found online to tease, embarrass or harass someone? 11. Sent rude or scary things to someone, even if you were joking? 12. Used bad language online? 13. Signed someone else up for something without their permission? 14. Used an IM or address that looked like someone else’s?

ARE YOU A BULLY OR A VICTIM…OR BOTH! HAVE YOU EVER? 15. Used someone elses password without permission? 16. Hacked into someone else’s computer or sent a Trojan horse to them? 17. Insulted someone whilst online gaming? 18. Posted rude things or lies about someone online? 19. Voted at an online bashing poll or posted to a guestbook saying rude/mean things?

YOU ARE… 0-5 CYBER SAINT Congratulations. You’re a cyber saint. Your online behaviour is excellent CYBER RISKY Well your not perfect, but few people are. Chances are you haven’t done anything terrible and were just having fun, but try not to repeat these behaviours, since they are all offences. Keep in mind the pain your fun might be causing others CYBER SINNER Your online behaviour needs to improve. You have done way too many cyber no no’s! keep in mind that these practices are dangerous, wrong and punishable and try to clean up that cyber record. MORE THAN 18 CYBER BULLY Put the brakes on and turn that Mac/PC or other device around. You are heading in a very bad direction. YOU ARE A CYBER BULLY. Your actions effect others.

Learning Outcomes 0 What have you learnt from this session. 1. …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………...