Cyberbullying: Awareness & Prevention Arcadia Unified School District February 28, 2011

Agenda Welcome & Introductions Bullying vs Cyberbullying Cyberbullying Roles: Bully, Target, Bystander How Cyberbullying Occurs Symptoms: What are the signs? Strategies: What to do to stop it! What are the schools doing? What can students do? What can parents do?

What is bullying? Definition: Repeated, unwanted, hurtful, negative behavior against someone. Bullying involves an imbalance of power where the bully is either physically stronger or perceived to have more power than the target. Actions include laughing, teasing, lying, insulting, hitting, shoving, tripping, ignoring, and encouraging others to join above actions.

What is cyberbullying? Definition: Repeated, unwanted, hurtful, negative words, pictures, and videos targeting someone using cell phones, , text messages, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and any online resource. Cyberbullies Appear to be anonymous Have 24/7 access Have the ability to send messages and images to a limitless audience Cyberbullies may assume another’s identity or create fake websites or accounts

Bullying vs. Cyberbullying Real World Face to Face Overt or covert behaviors Targets often are shy and quiet, possibly new to the school, may be perceived as ‘different’ Bullies believe they won’t get caught, and don’t acknowledge the risk Bullies as victims Online Direct or indirect ‘Anonymous’ ‘Faceless’ Targets can be anyone Cyberbullies believe they are ‘untouchable’ and ‘unpunishable’ Very public! Easy access 24/7 Instantaneous distribution to mass audience Words Gossip, Insults Imbalance of Power Illegal, Dangerous Aggressive Harassment Mean-spirited Cowardly Unethical Cruel

Cyberbully Someone who capitalizes on online anonymity to initiate bullying behavior Believe they are anonymous Feel free (and safe) to commit acts they would never carry out in person Often unaware of the impact of their actions on others Lack empathy Don’t feel remorse Don’t believe they can be caught… blame others if they are caught

Target Boys or girls being bullied electronically via Instant messages Texting Blogs Chat rooms Cell phone photo messages Websites (Facebook, MYSpace or Twitter) Often feel helpless Are unsure who to report

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Statistics The Pew Report Cyberbullying and Online Teens (2007) reports “about one third (32%) of all teenagers who use the Internet say they have been targets of a range of annoying and potentially menacing online activities receiving threatening messages; having their private s or text messages forwarded without consent; having an embarrassing picture posted without permission; or having rumors about them spread online.” 38% of girls reported having been bullied online, compared to 26% of boys. The group reporting the highest rate of cyberbullying was girls 15 to 17 years of age, at 41%.

More Statistics (one year later…) UCLA Study (2008) Journal of School Health Vol. 78. Issue 9. p % of young people reported being bullied online in the last year Heavy use of the Internet was associated with increased likelihood of online bullying 90% did not tell an adult about the incident 73% reported the knew, or were pretty sure they knew, who was doing the bullying 51% were bullied by schoolmates Both cyberbullying and bullying were associated with elevated levels of distress and social anxiety

Bystander Witnesses the cyberbullying May perpetuate the cyberbullying by: Reading harassing messages or viewing images Sharing or forwarding the messages or images Selecting ‘Like’ Adding a ‘Comment’ Can stop cyberbullying by: Taking a stand Reporting Blocking Deleting

Bystanders: This important group forms the social consensus for bullying behavior both online and offline. In a March 2008 study of 2095 students in grades 6, 7, 10 and 11 conducted by the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, 28% reported having witnessed cyberbullying. Of this percentage: 9% became involved in the bullying behavior 32% watched but didn’t participate 14% voiced their objection to the person doing the bullying 21% tried to stop the bully 11% left the online environment 7% tried to befriend the bully, and 7% reported the bully to someone who could help. In general, the longer the bullying persists, the more likely it is that the number of witnesses who are willing to join in will increase

Implications of Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is pervasive Bully is skilled at using available technology Bully has easy access to the target (24/7) Once posted, messages and images never go away completely Google Search Six Degrees of Separation… Target feels helpless and alone Bullying can cause lasting psychological damage

What are the schools doing? District Policies (Discipline, Technology, Cell Phone) Acceptable Use Contract Internet Safety and Cyberbullying are addressed during Health at the middle schools Lessons Additional resources (posters, videos) Meetings and Training Continued communication with parents Thorough investigation of all reported incidents

How do you know if your child is being bullied online? Signs to watch for… Does your child avoid the computer, cell phone, iPad or other electronic devices? Does your child appear stressed when receiving an , instant message or text? Has your child withdrawn at home and at school? Does your child avoid conversations about computer use? Does your child exhibit signs of low self esteem, including depression and fear Are your child’s grades declining? Does your child have trouble sleeping? A poor appetite?

What are the signs that your child might be an online bully? Has your child’s behavior changed dramatically recently? Does your child switch screens or close programs when you walk by? Does your child become unusually upset if computer or cell phone privileges are being restricted? Does your child avoid discussions about what they are doing online? Does your child appear to have multiple online accounts? (Facebook, MY Space…)

What can parents do if their child is a target of online bullying? Make sure your child feels safe and convey unconditional support Use words and actions to assure your child that you want to end the cyberbullying and stop any collateral damage Decide together what the best approach is… talk to the school (counselor, teacher, principal) if bullying involves schoolmates Contact the Internet Service Provider or Cell Phone Service Provider to report the incident Contact the police if physical threats are made

How can parents help? Install computer in an open family area, not in children’s bedrooms Collect laptops and cell phones at night for charging (away from children) Set a timer for online gaming or internet use Talk to your children about what’s going on… with texting, Facebook, instant messaging Encourage ‘digital citizenship’ and teach responsibility Don’t take technology away from children; teach them HOW to use it appropriately and safely!

What can your child do to stop cyberbullying? Think before you act… would you say this to the person face-to-face? Avoid gossip and don’t spread rumors Don’t be cruel and don’t join others who are being cruel Ignore, delete, block inappropriate messages or images Speak up when your friends engage in cyberbullying Report all incidents of cyberbullying to a trusted adult, the website, the school

Tips for Tweens Cyberbullying Don’t be cruel Ignore. Block. Tell. Speak up! Online Predators Recognize the difference between cute and creepy Don’t just sit there! Report! Sharing Too Much Avoid TMI! Don’t be that kid! Protect your space Trusted Adults Talk to your parents or guardians… they’re not as bad as you think :>)

Tips for Teens Cyberbullying Avoid gossip Don’t feed the cyberbullies Bystanders are guilty, too Online Predators Recognize the difference between cute and creepy Don’t just sit there! Report! Sharing too Much Initiate Operation Profile Clean-up Stop. Think. What pictures are you posting? Protect your space Trusted Adults Talk to your parents or guardians. They’re not as uptight as you think!

Thanks for coming!