Understanding the Dangers of CyberBullying

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Statistics It is estimated that 42% of students have been cyberbullied while online. It is estimated that 35% of students have been threatened online. 58% of students admit that someone has said something mean or hurtful to them online.

Cyberbullying is aggravated harassment transmitted through technological means, such as emails, text messages, cell phone communications, or social networking websites.

Cyberbullying through sending harassing text messages, posting things on sites such as Facebook, Formspring, etc., and sending harassing IM’s while somebody is online.

www.stopcyberbullying.org ______________________________________________________________________________ Are you a Cyber Bully? Often, people who are victims are also bullies. Before you feel too bad for yourself, take the quiz to find out if you, too, are part of the Cyber Bullying problem! Rate yourself on the following point scale according to if, and how many times, you have done the below activities. Give yourself 0 points if you’ve never done it, 1 point if you have done it 1 or 2 times, 2 points if you have done it 3-5 times, 3 points if you have done it more than 5 times.

Have you ever...   ___Signed on with someone else’s screen name to gather info? ___Sent an e-mail from someone’s account? ___Impersonated someone over IM or online? ___Teased or frightened someone over IM? ___Not told someone who you really are online, telling them to “guess”? ___Forwarded a private IM conversation or e-mail without the permission of the other person? ___Changed your profile or away message designed to embarrass or frighten someone? ___Posted pictures or information about someone on a Web site without their consent? ___Created an Internet poll, either over IM or on a Web site, about someone without their consent? ___Used information found online to follow, tease, embarrass or harass someone in person? ___Sent rude or scary things to someone, even if you were just joking? ___Signed someone else up for something online without their permission? ___Used someone else’s password for any reason without their permission? ___Hacked into someone else’s computer or sent a virus or Trojan horse to them? ___Insulted someone in an interactive game room? ___Posted rude things or lies about someone online? ___Voted at an online bashing poll or posted to a guestbook saying rude or mean things?

Risk factor for becoming a cyberbully   Now calculate your total score: 0 – 5 Points: Low Risk Congratulations! Your online behavior is exemplary! 6-10 Points: Low-Medium Risk Well, you’re not perfect, but few people are. Chances are you haven’t done anything terrible but try not to repeat these behaviors, since they are all offenses. Keep in mind the pain these behaviors might be causing others! 11-18 Points: Medium Risk You’re online behavior could stand to be improved. You may have hurt others without realizing it. Keep in mind that these practices are dangerous, wrong, and punishable. There are better ways to resolve conflict than utilizing the internet to hurt someone. More than 18: High Risk You may need to ask yourself why you are engaging in this behavior. Chances are it will escalate if you don’t put a stop to it now. Remember you may have to deal with the consequence of your actions later on.

How many of you have Myspace, Facebook, or a Youtube account?

What is it about the internet that allows people to sometimes say cruel things and potentially be a cyber bully?

You may think that all you are doing is typing on a keyboard and sending this message out online, and that you will never see the results of your actions.

“How would I feel if someone said to me what I am saying to this person?”

Whatever you put online the internet stays there forever Whatever you put online the internet stays there forever. The authorities can discover what computer you are using.

Harassment of any kind is a crime punishable by law Harassment of any kind is a crime punishable by law. There are new laws that are being passed in the US that address cyber bullying and you or your parents can be charged with a crime.

Has anyone ever heard the name Ghyslain Raza Has anyone ever heard the name Ghyslain Raza? How about his other name “Star Wars Kid”? One of the most viewed videos in YouTube history back in 2002. Ghyslain never intended for anyone to see the video.

People continuously commented on every flaw he had, criticizing him, passing judgment, using nothing more than a minute long clip. He felt violated, helpless, and tormented. People have more of a tendency to share “funny” clips with their friends, comment anonymously, and be less cautious with their privacy. Their, “funny” prank ended up hurting their own family and quality of life.

Phoebe Prince Killed herself Jan 2010 From Massachusetts, 15 y.o. Killed herself Jan 2010 Harrassing messages found on her Facebook account and through texts contributed to her suicide.

14 y.o., from Missouri Killed herself after a former friend’s mom, who was upset by their falling out, impersonated a fictional teen boy who at first was friendly and posing as a possible love interest. After gaining her trust he said “the world would be a better place without you.” States are passing laws that make cyberbullying a crime.

Suicide is a complex phenomenon, not just one thing usually makes someone take their own life. Usually when someone contemplates suicide, they have more than one problem that they are struggling with. One common feeling is loneliness and it can be very easy to feel alone and isolated, when you are being cyberbullied. It can feel like everyone has turned against you. It can be a contributing factor and may have pushed these already vulnerable kids over the edge

SEXTING PHILLIP ALPERT, An 18-year-old from Orlando, Florida, who was charged with a felony for "sexting": texting a naked photo of his underage girlfriend to classmates that didn’t get along with her. He can’t leave the state without permission because he is on parole. He lost his job and friends because of this. He had to leave his parents home because the live nearby a school and he could do jail time for living to close to a school. “You will find me on the registered sex offender list, next to people who have raped children, molested kids. ”

He was arrested for dissemination of child pornography – which essentially means, he distributed an image that could be considered child pornography, because of the fact that she was 16 and not an adult.

IF YOU ARE BEING HARRASSED ONLINE OR CYBERBULLIED, YOU HAVE RIGHTS: Contact the website on which you are being harassed and file a formal complaint. The person is forced to disable their account. Talk to a trusted adult, especially someone in your school. Go to the proper authorities Call the police, they have ways of locating the person who is cyber bullying you. You also can get the legal system involved and have your parents contact a lawyer, if you feel that your life is being threatened. Deal with the behavior in a non-aggressive way