Cyberbullying Brindetta Cook CSIS 200 April 29, 2013 Source: http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Cyberbullying.jpg Brindetta Cook CSIS 200 April 29, 2013

What is “Cyberbullying”? “Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. “ http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html Examples of cyberbullying include: mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Some youth who cyberbully: Pretend they are other people online to trick others Spread lies and rumors about victims Trick people into revealing personal information Send or forward private text messages, pictures, etc. Post pictures of victims without their consent Sending mean messages or threats to a person's email account or cell phone Spreading rumors online or through texts Posting hurtful or threatening messages on social networking sites or web pages Stealing a person's account information to break into their account and send damaging messages Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person Taking unflattering pictures of a person and spreading them through cell phones or the Internet Sexting, or circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person

Statistics The Harford County Examiner reported similarly concerning cyber bullying statistics: Around half of teens have been the victims of cyber bullying Only 1 in 10 teens tells a parent if they have been a cyber bully victim Fewer than 1 in 5 cyber bullying incidents are reported to law enforcement 1 in 10 adolescents or teens have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their permission, often using cell phone cameras About 1 in 5 teens have posted or sent sexually suggestive or nude pictures of themselves to others Girls are somewhat more likely than boys to be involved in cyber bullying Cyber world has become the new way to communicate in today's society People (students) in particular don’t think they can get caught Can lead to other devastating tragedies (school shootings, suicide, and other harm) http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html

Causes revenge of other peers for entertainment purposes to boost their ego to get a laugh from their peers help bolster or remind people of their own social standing The teen years can be cruel. Nearly everyone has been a part of some form of bullying during his or her lifetime, be it on the giving or receiving end. In general, cyber bullies have their own motives on why they are involved in cyber bullying. Some of their intentions have been identified as power, attention, retaliation, boredom, jealousy, and the pleasure of inflicting pain.

Effects Undermining your confidence, self-esteem and sense of security Affecting your performance and attendance at school Causing stress and affecting your health Affecting your professional reputation and career Fueling prejudice in areas such as race, religion and sexuality Leading to suicidal thoughts Can have a lasting impression on you for the rest of your life

Who is affected? Ages 15-17 Females are about twice as likely as males to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying. Males are more likely to be threatened by cyber bullies than females Affects all races Cyberbullying has become a prevalent problem globally Homosexual and bisexual teens are more likely to report bullying than heterosexual teens Students with disabilities are more likely to be the victims of bullying Females are more often the victims of bullying than males

Tyler Clementi Jessica Logan Tyler Clementi: jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. This occurred after a sexual encounter he had with a man in his dorm room was allegedly video streamed over the internet without Clementi's knowledge Jessica Logan: committed suicide after sexting a nude photo of herself to her boyfriend. When they broke up, he sent the photo to everyone else at her school. Jessica was cruelly harassed for months by the other girls at her school, Jessica Logan decided to tell her story on a Cincinnati television station. Her purpose was simple: “I just want to make sure no one else will have to go through this again.” The interview was in May 2008. Two months later, on July 3, 2008, Jessie attended the funeral of a boy who committed suicide, then came home and killed herself. Jessica Logan

Technology’s Role Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent. The psychological and emotional outcomes of cyber bullying are similar to those of real-life bullying. The difference is, real-life bullying often ends when school ends. For cyber bullying, there is no escape. And, it’s getting worse. http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-cyber- bullying

How you can help! Don’t engage in or support mean material, gossip, or rumors posted online, or talk about it Support the victim being targeted online by posting positive messages! Print the evidence to share with an authority

Remember! we are not invisible online, and anything we post can be traced back to us.  Monitor your online reputation

YOU have the power If cyberbullying becomes severe and involves threats of violence, you should contact the police immediately. Some states have computer harassment laws  to prosecute offenders. You may be able to sue a cyberbully or the bully's parents for damages if you can prove defamation, invasion of privacy, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. Damages can include money spent on counseling, limited college opportunities due to failing grades, etc.

Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Help Protect Students from Cyberbullying Requires Schools to Act When Cyberbullying Occurs Ensures Proper Protocols Are in Place to Deal with Cyberbullying Sets Training Requirements For School Employees to Help Identify and Prevent Cyberbullying The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2013. The new law cracks down on cyberbullying through the following provisions: “The new law is designed to strengthen a school's response to harassment and bullying through improved reporting, investigation, intervention, training and prevention. The new law requires schools to take action when students experience cyberbullying or other forms of harassment. It ensures that school districts take immediate steps to end harmful behavior, prevent recurrences, and ensure the safety of the targeted students. The legislation also establishes improved training to help teachers and administrators better prevent and respond to bullying and other harmful acts.” http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/07092012cyberbullying

Have you ever been a victim of cyberbullying? A.) YES B.) NO Source: http://samuelflinn.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/cyber- bullying-poster.jpg Have you ever been a victim of cyberbullying? A.) YES B.) NO

Resources Anti Bullying Campaigns and Programs: The Great American NO BULL Challenge Internet Safety 101 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Stomp Out Bullying Delete Digital Drama Cyberbully411 STOP Cyberbullying

Sources " What are the effects of cyberbullying? | Cyberbullying | Teacher advice | Teachtoday." Teachtoday. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <http://www.teachtoday.eu/en/Teacher- advice/Cyberbullying/What-are-the-effects-of-cyberbullying.aspx>. "Cyber Bullying Statistics - Bullying Statistics." Bullying Statistics - Teen Violence, Anger, Bullying, Treatment Options. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html>. "Cyberbullying Effects | End Of Bullying." EndofBullying.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://endofbullying.com/cyberbullying-effects/>.

Sources cont’d. "Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Help Protect Students from Cyberbullying | Governor Andrew M. Cuomo." Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/07092012cyberbullying>. "InternetSafety101.org: Statistics." InternetSafety101.org: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://www.internetsafety101.org/cyberbullyingstatistics.htm#_ftnref>. "What is Cyberbullying | StopBullying.gov." Home | StopBullying.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2013. <http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what- is-it/index.html>. "my Secure Cyberspace:." Cyberbullying. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2013. <www.mysecurecyberspace.com/encyclopedia/index/cyberbullying.html>.