1. Bullying Sara Rowley

2. Introduction Google ‘bullying’ and you will get a long list of results with information and assistance for students, parents and teachers. There is no question that bullying is a problem for our young people. The introduction of social media and the rise in access to devices mean that cyber bullying is becoming a bigger and bigger issue.

3. Bullying: The Facts Bullying Statistics in Australia Roughly 1 in 4 students (27%) have reported being bullied, from primary to high school. This is lower than the 38% reported in 2006 Hurtful teasing was reported as the most common bullying behavior, closely followed by lies. Bullying was more common for Year 5 students (32%) and Year 8 (29%). Bullying by females tended to be more covert, while males were more “in your face” about it. Peers are present in 87% of bullying interactions, mostly as onlookers who do nothing to help the victim. Racial bullying against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has actually improved compared to the 31% rate reported in 2005. Three years later the figure was down to 10%.

4. What is bullying? Bullying is difficult to define, though all sources agree that bullying has three main ingredients: Harmful behaviour An imbalance of power An ongoing pattern Bullying takes many forms including: Keeping someone out of a group (online or offline) Giving nasty looks, making rude gestures, calling names, being rude and impolite, and constantly negative teasing. Spreading rumours or lies, or misrepresenting someone (i.e. using their Facebook account to post messages as if it were them). Messing around that goes too far. Harassing someone based on their race, sex, religion, gender or a disability Intentionally and repeatedly hurting someone. Intentionally stalking someone. Taking advantage of any power over someone else.

5. Types of bullying Overt (face to face or direct bullying) Physical harm such as kicking and punching. Verbal and emotion harm such as name calling, insulting or harassment. Covert (hidden or indirect) Deliberately leaving someone out, gossiping, bitching or rumour spreading. Cyber bullying Bullying that takes place through the use of the internet or a mobile device.

6. Types of Cyber bullying Pranking Repeated hang ups, anonymous, mocking or threatening phone calls. Image sharing Forwarding or sharing unflattering or private images without permission. Sexually explicit images People of any age, who forward or share images of a sexual nature of a person under 18 need to be aware that this is a criminal offence (child pornography) that may result in prosecution. Text and email Sending insulting or threatening text messages or emails. Personal online information Publishing online someone's private, personal or embarrassing information without permission, or spreading rumours online. Identity theft Assuming someone’s identity online and negatively representing them in a way that damages their reputation or relationships. Hate sites Creating hate sites or implementing social exclusion campaigns on social networking sites. Other types of cyber bullying It is also cyber bullying when a student, or students, uses technology to run a multi-step campaign to bully another student. For example, setting another student up to be assaulted, video-recording their humiliation, posting the video-recording online and then sending the website address to others.

7. How is Cyber bullying different to other types of bullying? Cyber bullying is invasive Cyber bullying can be difficult to escape and is incredibly invasive. It is more likely to occur outside of school, including while at home, and can happen at any time. Cyber bullying can involve a large audience Cyber bullying can involve harmful material being widely and rapidly shared to a large audience, for example, rumours and images can be posted on public forums or sent to many people at once. This material can also continue to be available and harmful long after the cyber bullying has ceased. Cyber bullies have a sense of anonymity Cyber bullying can provide the bully with a sense of relative anonymity and distance from the target, so there is a lack of immediate feedback or consequences.

8. Cyber bullying stats Cyber Bullying Statistics in Australia Children do not only have to deal with bullying at school, but also online. The Internet has revolutionized social communication and interaction, and while much of it is benign, there are those who use the technology to cause harm. Older students (or those with more access to technology) are more likely to cyber-bully than younger one. Over 80% of those who bullied others online would also do so offline. 84% of those who were bullied online were also victims of bullying behavior offline. A quarter of all cyber-bullies target people they do not even know. 64% of females from Years 6 to 12 reported being cyber-bullied. High mobile phone usage makes cyber-bullying easier.

9. These apps make cyber bullying easy...

10. Online dangers to young people Social media is a new frontier and our young people are right on the edge of it. We live in a time of great experimentation and growth, though this can be dangerous. Young people want to be accepted and belong. They are also learning about themselves and who they are, creating their own identity. Social media offers a way for people to present themselves as they want to be seen and accepted. (This applies to young people as well as those aiming to take advantage of them.) There is a temptation to over-share information and trust too easily. There are many stories of people getting into bad situations online. The main dangers online for young people are: Cyber bullying Identity theft Predatory behaviour

11. Issues for our students Understanding what bullying is and recognising when it happens. Not all conflict is bullying, the three critical ingredients (ongoing pattern/abuse of power/causing harm) must be present. Developing skills to communicate in person and online in a respectful way. Being responsible online while still maintaining friendships and staying connected with peer group. Once something has been posted/shared online it is live and it cannot be taken back.

12. What do teachers need to know? That despite efforts of governments, charities and community groups that bullying is still rife in our schools. The three critical ingredients in a case of bullying (ongoing/abuse of power/causing harm). There are different types of bullying. Technology has created a new form of bullying (cyber bullying). That students have apps on their devices that are inappropriate and assist in the cycle of bullying.

13. What do teachers need to do? Be very clear on the school’s policy concerning bullying and cyber bullying. If a student discloses to you that they are being bullied- ACT! (according to the school policy). Cyber bullying is insidious and is widespread, especially with the increasing use of personal devices in the classroom. Keep up with the latest apps. You don’t necessarily need to own them, but know what they are and how they work.

14. Bibliography http://nobullying.com/ http://au.reachout.com/bullying http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/ http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/understand-what%27s-going- on/bullying-and-cyberbullying http://www.youthbeyondblue.com/understand-what%27s-going- on/bullying-and-cyberbullying http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pa ges/cyberbullying.aspx http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pa ges/cyberbullying.aspx (This page has a great little video) https://www.humanrights.gov.au/cyberbullying-what-it-and-how- get-help-violence-harassment-and-bullying-fact-sheet https://www.humanrights.gov.au/cyberbullying-what-it-and-how- get-help-violence-harassment-and-bullying-fact-sheet http://www.kidshelp.com.au/grownups/news-research/hot- topics/cyber-bullying.php http://www.kidshelp.com.au/grownups/news-research/hot- topics/cyber-bullying.php http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/default.aspx A fantastic resource! My school has had ACMA come and present to our students which was eye opening and really interesting.