Cyber Bullying Contributed by Mollie Swadkins All resources in the "Safeguarding Resources" section of our resource bank have been submitted by delegates on our Level 2 Safeguarding Online courses. For more information about this practical, self-paced course, please visit and This resource is intended to be used as a presentation during staff training on safeguarding and child protection tackling the issue of cyber-bullying. This presentation would be useful for all teaching and support staff. It can also be printed and used as a hand-out so that staff can refer back to it once their training has been completed. The presentation highlights the importance of recognising and monitoring the issue of cyber-bullying which can sometimes be overlooked as a safeguarding and child protection issue. After explaining what cyber-bullying is and some of the ways in which children can be cyber- bullied it goes on to list the emotional and behavioural signs to look out for that may suggest a child is a victim of cyber- bullying. It then ends with top tips that can be communicated to the children to encourage cyber safety.

Cyber-Bullying Recognising the threat and importance of monitoring the use of technological media

Cyber-Bullying  Safeguarding issues are usually assumed to be related to the threat of adults abusing children.  Due to the technological advances in todays society Cyber-Bullying has highlighted a fairly new aspect of abuse, child-on-child abuse.  Bullying does NOT have to be of a physical nature to constitute as a form of abuse. Cyber-bullying is largely abuse of an emotional nature which is just as important to recognise and monitor.

So what is Cyber-Bullying?  Cyber-bullying is when either a person uses a form of technology to threaten or humiliate another person.  It is quite common for a group of people to target a victim and use various forms of technology to post threatening messages.  Cyber-bullying is often not as public as ‘traditional’ face-to-face bullying which causes more of a risk of the act going un-noticed.

Can be used to send upsetting messages. Instant Messengers are often used to get other people to be quickly involved in the bullying. People laughing at already posted comments can become part of the problem. Fake profiles have been made to make fun of people. People who also add comments to already posted abuse can cause more trouble then help. Most social networks, s, instant messengers are now available on our mobile phones which can increase vulnerability and the risk of being exposed to cyber-bullying.

Recognising the Signs of Cyber-Bullying EMOTIONAL SIGNS Withdrawn Signs of depression Agitated Anxious Aggressive behaviour ACADEMIC SIGNS Doesn’t want to go to school Gets into trouble Skips school Drops in grades Loses interest

Recognising the Signs of Cyber-Bullying SOCIAL & BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS Suddenly stops using technology Doesn’t want to take part in activities Self-harm Threats of suicide Change of friends

Recognising Cyber-Bullying in Practise SIGNS THAT A PERSON MAY BE CYBER-BULLYING OTHERS  Stops using computer when somebody comes near-by.  Turns screen off suddenly when somebody enters room.  Appears nervous when using phone or computer  Keeps their actions on computer and phone secretive  Spends most of their time on technology devices  Becomes annoyed when technology devices are taken away

Top tips to teach  Don’t respond.  SAVE the evidence.  Use the available tools to help yourself. (Most social networking sites and applications allow you to block a person and report a problem.)  Reach out for HELP.  Be a friend. (If your friend has become a victim of cyber-bullying, try to help by reporting it to a trusted adult.)