Cyberbullying Not just on the playground anymore… What is it? Where does it happen? Why do we care? What can we do? Alcott Elementary 2010 Laura Lynch ©

What is Cyberbullying? Mean, vulgar or threatening messages or images Posted rumors, gossip or false information with the intention of humiliating a student Posted sensitive or private information about other students Pretending to be someone else with the intention of making that person look bad Intentionally excluding someone from joining an online group

Where does cyberbullying occur? s Instant messaging (IM) Text or digital images sent via mobile phone Web pages or blogs Chat rooms Social networks such as MySpace, Facebook and Hi5

If you wouldn’t say it in person… Bullying Video

Cyberbullying is hurtful Cyberbullying can cause: Depression Isolation Lowered self-esteem Drug or alcohol use and abuse School avoidance Self-harm including cutting or even suicide

Please don’t think that it can’t happen here…

Targets can feel helpless Cyberbullying can occur at any time, day or night Cyberbullying can reach a student online at home, in school, on the phone, anywhere Cyberbullies can appear anonymous

What does this mean? On the Internet, nobody knows you are a dog

Think before you click Loss of visual/auditory benchmarks You can’t see them/they can’t see you No visual feedback on how your comments affect the people you interact with Easy to be aggressive? No one is judging you? Think before you click If you are angry—sleep on it!

Bystanders Why might someone forward an unkind or text even if he or she knew it was not a nice thing to do? What could bystanders do instead? Remember Steps to Respect? Recognize, refuse & report

If you are the target Stop—immediately leave the online environment where the bullying is going on Block— addresses or im’s received from bullies & do not respond Record—all harassing messages & ask your parents to send them to your internet provider. Most providers have strict policies about harassment Talk—to a trusted adult. Your parents can help you stay safe in the real world and the virtual world, too

Be a responsible “netizen” Protect your privacy & respect the privacy of others Don’t give out your personal information Stay true to yourself: Do not send anonymous personal messages Stay true to your values: Never write something that you would not say to someone’s face

Be a responsible “netizen”, cont. Don’t spread rumors or post pictures without getting permission If you are angry, sleep on it No trolls! (Someone who posts controversial messages with the intention of starting arguments.)

Discussion As a good ‘netizen’, what are you going to do to prevent and block cyberbullying?

References Soo Chinn, Counselor, Lake Washington School District Cher Edwards, Seattle Pacific University iSafe ( Inayhead ( Media Awareness Network Steps to Respect Teaching Tolerance 4Chan