1. Who are we? We provide a service for anyone affected by bullying who is still of school age. We give advice to children, young people, parents/carers and professionals on how to deal with bullying. Last year we worked with over young people You can call Bullybusters between 3-6PM Monday–Friday

2. Bullying and Cyberbullying.
BULLYING is the act of intentionally causing harm to others, through verbal harassment, physical assault, or other more subtle methods, i.e. exclusion from a group or spreading rumours, etc.
CYBERBULLYING is bullying using technology. This means things like prank calling, sending nasty text messages and posting on hate sites as well as forwarding horrible s, sending round humiliating videos

3. How does it make you feel?
Want to retaliate
Feeling sorry for yourself
Feel like you can’t tell anyone
Angry
Unhappy
Worthless
Depressed
Unable to cope
Want to hurt yourself
Embarrassed
Scared
Tearful
Sad
Anxious
Confused
May feel frustrated
Stressed
Intimidated

4. Top Tips:
Don’t post stuff that is very personal – keep information general
Think carefully about posting pictures online – once it’s there, anyone can see it or use it
Don’t share your passwords – keep your personal information private!
It’s not a good idea to meet up with anyone you meet online – you don’t really know who they are!
Try to think carefully before you write things online – people can get the wrong end of the stick
Respect other people’s views – just because you don’t agree with them, it doesn’t mean you have to be rude or abusive

5. What you can do? Tell someone you trust
Report any cyberbullying, even if it’s not happening to you
Never respond/retaliate as it could make matters worse
Block the cyberbullies from contacting you
Save and print any bullying messages, posts, pictures or videos that you receive
Make a note of the dates and times they are received
Keep your passwords private
Don’t post any personal information or pictures online
Have fun...but surf the internet safely!

6. Conflict Walk away to let things calm down.
When we fall out with friends or have an argument its important to:
Walk away to let things calm down.
Think about what has caused the argument.
When it is the right time, go and speak to the person, calmly. Don’t start another argument!
Try to come up with ways to move forward and resolve what has happened!
Also don’t get everyone involved!

7. Sexting
The sending or receiving of sexually explicit content via text messages, smart phones, or visual and web activities such as social networking sites.

8. Facts:
Nearly 40% of all teenagers have posted or sent sexually suggestive messages, but this practice is more common among boys than girls
15% of teens who have sent or posted nude/semi-nude images of themselves send these messages to people they have never met, but know from the Internet
6 out of 10 young people have been asked for sexual images
The demands come from their peers rather than strangers or adults making young people feel under pressure to do it.

9. But why do it? As a form of flirting
As a way to show another “what they can get” if that person dates them
As a sign that they are in a trusting and loving relationship
As a signal that they want to take their relationship to the next level
As an expression of their sexuality
Because they are bored and feel like doing something exciting

10. Negative consequences
Sexually explicit photo or message might be forwarded to other people
Picture could be posted on other people’s social network sites or websites
Might be seen by friends, classmates, teachers, parents, and strangers
Therefore:
There could be a strong possibility of being bullied and teased
They might get in trouble at school and at home, police might be involved
They may be embarrassed if the sext turns up in the future

11. SO THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU PRESS SEND!
In terms of the law:
It is legal to have sex aged 16, but illegal and a serious criminal offence to TAKE, SHARE or keep HOLD of “indecent” photo’s of anyone under the age of 18
If a young person were to have in their possession an indecent image of another minor, they would technically be in possession of an indecent image of a child, which is an offence under the Criminal Justice act 1998
By sending/ distributing indecent pictures of any person under the age of 18 on to someone else you would be breaking the law!
SO THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU PRESS SEND!

12. Useful Support Bullybusters 0800 1696928 or www.bullybusters.org.uk
Cybermentors
ThinkUknow
Childline
for more information