1. What it is, how to spot it, and how to respond to it
Cyberbullying
What it is, how to spot it, and how to respond to it

2. What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying involves sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet (instant messaging, s, social media) or other digital communication devices, such as cell phones.
It can involve stalking, threats, harassment, impersonation, humiliation, trickery, and exclusion.
Cyberbullying is done with the intent to hurt or embarrass someone, and in that way is different than teasing a close friend or sharing inside jokes.

3. Vocabulary
Cyber: relating to computers and other electronic communication networks
Bully: in this case, refers to the perpetrator of the offenses listed. It is important to note that not all cyberbullying acts are intentional, and often the bully needs to be informed of their actions and will comply in removing the cyberbullying
Victim: the person/people who are the target of the cyberbullying
Trusted Adult: can be a parent or teacher, someone who you feel comfortable sharing information with

4. Common types of cyberbullying

5. Sending mean emails, texts, or instant messages
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
If someone sends mean messages, their intent is to hurt the recipient of those messages
What are some examples of this?
Examples include mean things about someone’s race, appearance, beliefs, etc. in text format
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
If you are the recipient of these messages, do not retaliate. That will only escalate and worsen the situation. Inform a trusted adult immediately if you know the person sending the messages.
If you do not know the person sending the messages, inform a trusted adult and report the messages to your phone company (if texts) or internet provider (if s/instant messages)

6. Posting hurtful things about someone on social media
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
Posting hurtful things is done with the intent to hurt or embarrass someone
What are some examples of this?
Posting on Facebook about someone’s appearance
Tweeting an embarrassing fact about a classmate
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
This is one that you can be involved with even if you are not the target of the bullying
If you spot this and are friends with the bully, ask them to take down the hurtful comment
If they do not comply, contact a trusted adult
If you are not friends or do not know the bully, report the comment and mark it as abusive/offensive

7. Spreading rumors or gossip about someone online
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
If you do not know facts about a person and simply spreading rumors about them, you are contributing to attempting to embarrass that person
What are some examples of this?
Posting either publicly or privately information that you believe is true about a person or you know in confidence about that person
Sending group texts, excluding the target, and talking about them behind their back
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
If you are the victim, you can respond and say that the rumors are not true, but do not retaliate and say something mean back
If rumors continue to go around, report the comments as offensive and tell a trusted adult
If you are not the victim and see this behavior, tell the bully to stop if they don’t know what they are talking about
If it continues, report the comment as offensive and tell a trusted adult

8. Pretending to be another person by creating a fake online profile
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
By definition, cyberbullying includes impersonation. A bully can post false information about a person, ruin friendships by sending fake messages, or perhaps even try and steal your identity.
What are some examples of this?
Creating a Facebook page of someone other than yourself
Hacking into someone’s address and sending out s
Filling out information online and putting someone else’s name
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
This can be tricky as you may not be able to separate what your friend would post versus what a bully might post
If you are unsure, ask your friend in person (ie. “did you post…?”)
If you know your friend was victimized, report their comments/posts as offensive and tell a trusted adult

9. Sending messages to someone to the point of harassment
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
Even though the messages may not be “mean” in nature, constantly bothering someone who does not want to respond to you constitutes harassment
What are some examples of this?
If you send a message reaching out to someone and they don’t respond, you may try to reach out again. If they do not respond, do not send repeated messages to force them to respond.
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
If you feel harassed by someone sending you messages that you do not wish to respond to, block that person.
If the messages are texts, report their number to your cell provider to stop receiving texts from them.

10. Attacking or killing an avatar or character in an online game, constantly and on purpose
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
If you only target one person, you are singling them out either to be mean to them or to try and embarrass them (as in, trying to show they’re not good at the game)
What are some examples of this?
Killing the same person in Fortnite every time they respawn
Only attacking one person in a four person game of Super Smash Bros.
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
If you know the person who is doing it, ask them to stop and explain why it’s unfair to constantly attack you
If they won’t stop, do not play with that person, and encourage your friends to not play with them until they change their playing style
If you do not know the person attacking you, like in an online game, you can leave that game and join a new one

11. Threatening or intimidating someone online or in a text message
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
By definition, cyberbullying includes sending threats
What are some examples of this?
A threat is any message sent that states an intention to hurt, damage, or perform other hostile actions in retribution for something done or not done (“If you tell anyone, I will…”)
Threats are often sent directly to an individual but can also be posted in public places
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
If you are the victim, do not retaliate as this can escalate the issue
If you feel genuinely threatened, call the police
Tell a trusted adult and make it clear if you feel unsafe

12. Taking an embarrassing photo or video and sharing it without permission
Why is this considered cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is done with the intent to embarrass, and even though you may find it funny, likely the victim will not
What are some examples of this?
Taking a snapchat of someone when they are not expecting it
Posting an embarrassing photo of someone when they were sleeping
Simply, you need permission from anyone before posting a photo or video of them anywhere
What should I do if I spot this type of behavior?
If you are the victim, send a private message to the bully asking to take down the photo/video
If they do not comply, report the photo/video as offensive and tell a trusted adult
If you are an outside observer and know the victim did not give permission to show the photo/video, report it as offensive and tell a trusted adult

13. Takeaways
This is not an exhaustive list of cyberbullying events. If you believe someone has sent or posted something that is intended to hurt or embarrass someone, follow the guidelines below.
If you believe the bullying is not a serious offense, contact the bully and ask for them to take down the post
If they do not, or if you believe the cyberbullying is a more serious offense, report the post as offensive and contact a trusted adult
If the cyberbullying threatens a life, threatens violence, or threatens abuse, contact the police and contact the internet service provider/cell provider to report the bullying. If you don’t feel comfortable with this step, always ask a trusted adult to do so.