CYBERBULLYING INFORMATION AND PREVENTION August 2009

Internet Usage Millions of children under the age of 18 use the internet daily in the United States. Children use the Internet to friends, create blogs or websites, use chat rooms, and use instant messaging to do research for school assignments and for entertainment.

Internet Definitions Blog: A blog, or web log, is an online website that contains journal and diary entries, photos and other images. Blogs are very popular with teens. Parents should ask their child if they have created a blog. Some popular blog websites include Xanga, MySpace, Friendster, Facebook and others. Parents can always ask their child to show them their blog.

Chat: Real time communication between two users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor. Most networks and online services offer a chat feature. Chat Room: A virtual room where a chat session takes place. Webopedia Webopedia

Instant Messaging or IM: Real time communication exchanged between two people (or more) online using typed words as the form of communicating. Ask your child if they are instant messaging, and who they IM or chat with online. Learn what your children are saying online. “Chat lingo” has become the new way to communicate. For example, “P911” means parents are coming. “LMIRL” means let’s meet in real life. “PA” means parent alert.

Internet Risks While the Internet is useful, it can also pose risks. One risk is that of child predators. They use the Internet to chat with and gain the trust of children, and then arrange meetings with them.

Children can also be exposed to inappropriate content, child pornography and harassment while online. Material on the internet can be sexual, violent or hateful. The material may be transmitted to children through chat rooms, s or through the use of instant messaging.

Children may be bullied online. They may receive messages that are threatening or harassing thru , chat rooms, instant messaging or their cell phones. A child may be the subject of a demeaning website or web log.

What is Cyberbullying?  Threatening and intimidating s  Harassing and threatening instant messages (IM) messages (IM)  Sending or posting cruel rumors about someone to damage their reputation  Posting inappropriate pictures of someone online (i.e.; locker room pictures)

 Breaking into someone’s account, posing as that person, and sending messages that make the person look bad. (This is why it is very important for children not to give out their passwords to their friends).  Websites created to humiliate another student

How Prevalent is Cyberbullying? 22% of students know someone who has been bullied online. 19% of students admit to saying something hurtful to others online. 12% of students have personally become upset by strangers online i-SAFE pre-assessment survey of 13,000 students in grades 5-12

Why Do Kids Cyberbully? Many times cyberbullying is an extension of bullying that is occurring at school. Sometimes cyberbullying is based on hate or bias. Some children see cyberbullying as being entertaining.

When friendships crumble or relationships dissolve, one person may use the Internet to bully the other person. Sometimes the cyberbully may be a stranger to the victim. Many times when people use the Internet, they feel as if they are invisible. They will type things online they would not say in public.

Effects of Bullying A child who is bullied may feel they have nowhere to turn. They are depressed children whose self-esteem will be lowered due to the bullying. These are children who often feel like no one cares about them. They may attempt suicide or seek revenge against those who have hurt them, due to the repeated abuse and torment they receive.

Effects of Cyberbullying Many children who are cyberbullied, are also children who are bullied every day in school. These children are continuously bullied with no apparent means of escape for themselves. Many children who are bullied do not tell their parents or adults, because they feel that the bullying is their fault or fear retribution. Children may also fear losing their computer, if they tell what is happening to them online.

Warning Signs a Child is Being Bullied Online Frequently has stomachaches or headaches Is depressed or angry Has low self-esteem Is withdrawn from family, friends or activities Children who are bullied may be students who used to have a great interest in school but now does not. Grades may decline.

Children who are cyberbullied may be children who were always “chatting” with their friends online. Suddenly, they have no interest in using the Internet. They may show fear or distress after using the Internet. Children who are bullied online may be hiding information by quickly switching computer screens, when their parents come into the room.

What Can Parents Do if Their Child is Bullied Online? Parents must be supportive and ask their child about bullying incidents. It is important for parents to let their child know they are concerned and care about them. Parents need to contact the school their child attends. Teachers and the school principal should be alerted about bullying incidents. Parents can also ask teachers and / or principal, if they have ever observed students bullying their child. Many times cyberbullying spills over from school bullying.

Parents and guardians must save the evidence from cyberbullying. Save s and chat sessions. Download all web pages. If you do not know who the cyberbully is, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or another company that will trace the identity of the person online.

Change your child’s address or usernames, or block or filter further communications from the cyberbully. Let the Internet Service Provider (ISP) know the cyberbullying incidents are occurring. If the cyberbullying is occurring through the use of a blog (MySpace, Friendster, etc.), contact the provider.

If the cyberbullying is about threats, harassment, obscene messages and images, sexually explicit images or hate, contact your local police department or the CyberTipline. The CyberTipline is national hotline is operated 24-hours a day, 7-days per week online at or by calling

Cyberbullying Prevention Tips for Children and Teens Children should never post their full name, age, address, name of their school or any other identifying information online. They should not give out personal information to people they are “chatting“ with online, if they do not know them in real life. Friend’s names, ages, addresses or other identifying information should not be posted online. Posting their information puts them at risk.

Children and teens should not give out passwords to anyone but their parents or guardian. The privacy settings of social networking sites (MySpace, Friendster, etc.) should be set so that other users can only be added, if the child approves them.

Teens should not allow other Internet users to read their blog or site, if they do not know them. Users should not be added to Instant Messaging lists unless the child knows them in “real life.”

Teens should not respond to inappropriate and lewd comments. They should report anything they see or receive online, that makes them feel uncomfortable, to their parents, guardian or other trusted adult. Parents can then contact local Internet service providers, local law enforcement or the CyberTipline.

For More Information Netsmartz (from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America), i-SAFE, Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, Play it Cyber Safe,

Missouri State Technical Assistance Team Address: PO Box 208 Jefferson City, MO PO Box 208 Jefferson City, MO Telephone: (573) (800) (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday)