ON LINE SAFTEY AND CYBER BULLYING

DO U NO WHO R U TLKG 2?

HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM? Cyber based abuse and cyber bullying is a fact of life in schools for both staff and students but that does not mean we should accept or ignore it. Mobile phone, , bulletin boards, social networking sites, message boards can all be used to threaten and intimidate other people, including students and staff. Online bullying is much harder to detect than direct contact in social settings. Contact, abuse or bullying that begins online may quickly move offline

TYPES OF CYBER BULLYING On-line stalking ('cyberstalking') involves the repeated, prolonged, unwanted texting of or use of electronic messaging and display aimed at a particular person to harass, intimidate or frighten the recipient. This may be continuation of other forms of abuse, extending existing bullying into previously safe and secure settings. It may be a sole, anonymous form of bullying. Harassment and stalking usually involves: Repeated unwanted text, instant messages, or phone calls (including silent calls). Use of (message boards, chat rooms) to constantly harass, and/or post derogatory or defamatory statements or photographs to provoke a response from the victim (may be referred to as 'flaming'). Tracking targets by using spy-ware. Sending viruses.

DEFAMATION Posting upsetting or defamatory remarks about an individual online: Name-calling using a mobile device. General insults. Prejudice-based bullying. Sexist, homophobic and racist messages. Attack other kinds of difference (physical or mental disability, cultural or religious background, appearance or socio-economic position). Intention - to achieve ostracising/peer-rejection/exclusion.

WHERE BULLYING MAY ARISE Social networking sites, (Facebook, twitter, Bebo, MySpace) allow an online presence enabling communication with other network members. Fake accounts may be set up. Electronic messages or pictures placed on the web where they may be viewable by millions of people, become difficult to contain. Gated communities only allowing contact between members. A group of students can set up a closed group, which can protect them from unwanted contact. Refusal to return or acknowledge messages, deleting individual from friendship lists or using 'ignore' functions can be extremely hurtful. Video or pictures can be passed between mobile phones either by a local wireless connection, by text to other phones, uploaded to websites or posted to public video hosting sites.

RESPONSE Identifying perpetrators using technology is a difficult, technical and time- consuming process. Detection may depend on more traditional ways of investigating incidents — circumstantial evidence, a witness report or an admission of responsibility. Parents often do not see it is a problem for children to be on Facebook for example. Reports brought to the teacher to deal with children being victimised on FB.

STAY SAFE ON LINE!