Internet Safety and Awareness Cyberbullies and Predators Enfield High School Computer Network

An Area of Concern for Student Using the Internet Cyberbullies

What is Cyberbullying? Sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images Posting sensitive, private information about another person Pretending to be someone else in order to make that person look bad Intentionally excluding someone from an online group

Cyberbullying is distinguished from face-to-face bullying in four ways: Students who are victimized have no place to hide, and can be targeted anytime and anyplace. Cyberbullying can involve a very wide audience. Students who cyberbully others are anonymous. Students who cyberbully do not usually see the response of the victim.

How Common Is Cyberbullying? These are the results from a survey of students from middle school: 90% of the students using the Internet have been insulted online 90% of the students using the Internet have been insulted online 75% have visited a Web site insulting another student 75% have visited a Web site insulting another student 40% had been locked out of their own accounts by a cyberbully who had stolen their password 40% had been locked out of their own accounts by a cyberbully who had stolen their password Only 15% of their parents knew what a cyberbully does. Only 15% of their parents knew what a cyberbully does.

Cyberbullying is a School and Community Issue. Bullying at school, at home, and online are all connected. Bullying is about the abuse of power. Using the Internet, or text messaging to threaten, hurt, single out, embarrass, spread rumors or reveal secrets about others are all considered cyberbullying. Children who are a part of face to face bullying are more likely to be involved in cyberbullying. Some victims of face-to-face bullying become bullies online.

Examples of a Cyberbully Stories posted on a blog site that are untrue and demeaning. Photos taken with a cellphone or camera that are posted to a social chat space. s that are intended to upset someone. Sending Instant Messages that are demeaning, insulting, or threatening.

Effects of Bullying Victims of Cyberbullies are more likely to: Be depressed, lonely, anxious Have low self-esteem Be absent from school Feel sick Consider making bad decisions

The Tragic Effect of a Cyberbully Megan Meier was 13 years old when she became the victim of a cyberbully. Ryan Halligan was also 13 years old when he became the victim of cyberbullies. To learn more about their stories click on one of the links below. click on one of the links below. Megan Meier Megan Meier Ryan Halligan Ryan Halligan

What Can You Do If You Are a Victim of a Cyberbully? Do not respond to the cyberbully. Do not respond to the cyberbully. Inform your parents and school officials. Inform your parents and school officials. Block further online communications. Block further online communications. Save evidence to identify the bully. Contact police if there are threats of violence, extortion, hate crimes or sexual exploitation. Save evidence to identify the bully. Contact police if there are threats of violence, extortion, hate crimes or sexual exploitation.

An Area of Concern for Student Using the Internet Online-Predators

What is an Online Predator? An online predator is an Internet user who will exploits someone, usually a younger person, for sexual or possibly financial purposes.

What Does An Online Predator Do? Online predators try to gradually seduce their targets through attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts, and often devote considerable time, money and energy to gain this person’s trust.

Where Does the Predator Make Contact? Predators establish contact with their victims through conversations in chat rooms, instant messaging, or discussion boards.

How to Avoid Predators Do not give out last names, addresses, passwords or social security numbers to anyone. Do not list personal information on a social website. Block instant or personal messages from people you don't know. Be aware that when anyone enters a chat room, their can end up on a spammer's list. Choose a gender-neutral screen name that doesn't contain sexually suggestive words or reveal personal information.

The Tragic Effect of an Online Predator Christina Long was the victim of an online predator. To learn about what happened to her click on the link below. Christina Long Christina Long

What to Do If Inappropriate Material Is Received If you receive sexually explicit images, are solicited sexually, or receive material that is inappropriate, follow these steps: Inform your parents immediately. You and your parents inform a school administrator. Your parents should contact the local police. (You can also report incidents to the Cybertip! hotline at

American Library Association Anti Defamation League (ADL) Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use NS Teens (NetSmart) Pew Internet and American Life Project Wired Safety The following are websites that can provide information about internet safety: