1. Cyberbullying: Implications & Responses Adrienne Katz Regional Adviser West Midlands

2. Cyberbullying first emerged as an issue in 2002 (NCH) Threats or bullying by mobile or on PC experienced by 1 in 4 of 856 people, 11 -19 Exciting enabling technology but there are risks

3. Was this replacing age old prank phone calls? Or something more serious?

4. In 2003 research confirmed this as a new form of bullying, although numbers were small (Oliver & Candappa) 1,200 yrs 5 & 8 4% had received nasty text messages 2% nasty emails SHEU found 2% of nearly 10,000 year 6 reported bullying via mobile phone

5. By 2005: a picture of girls of 15 using phones for nasty messages (Sugar)* 16% sent them, nearly 1/2 received them. NCH: 770 people, age 11-19, found: 20% had experienced some bullying or threat via email, chatroom or text. 14% text bullying Internet chatrooms 5% and email 4%

6. In the NCH study: Almost ¾ knew the person, but 1 in 4 said it was a stranger. We began to become aware of risks. Same year: Goldsmiths College: 92 pupils From 14 London schools. Up to 1 in 5 experienced bullying via phone or net Picture clips, texts, emails and some chatroom bullying.

7. In 2005 Becta – 444 schools teachers in 25 LAs 87% of teachers: no incidents in average month 11% encountered between 1 and 5 per month Less than 1% more than 11 per month Older age groups and girls more likely. 15.5% of teachers did encounter 1-5 incidents involving websites chatrooms or emails. 83% of teachers: not aware of any incidents Was it being exaggerated? Are they telling? Discussion of types of cases seen

8. Complex video clips & ‘Happy Slapping’

9. Adults slow to realise implications until teachers were targeted. Dis-inhibiting effect of being unseen ‘Remote’ Humiliating – enormous reach Teens not aware of electronic footprint left Little robust research, media creates fear

10. Emerging Fear MediaHype Now: understanding responses evaluating practical steps MSN, websites, videoclips, social networking, outweigh emails and texts as ‘most hurtful’. Principles of bullying the same, but new tools - greater power, secrecy and reach - humiliate

11. Guidance - Childnet and CEOP Protection from Crime and Harassment Act Malicious Communications Act 1988 Section 43 Telecommunications Act Byron report Work with providers Blocking technology growing Training for Safeguarding, netiquette, responses http://wiredforsafety.org.gb/stalking/index.html

12. What is the most recent local picture? We all ask the questions in different ways so nothing is comparable. In West Midlands figures ‘appear’ low but certain cases can be very serious. Wide gap between adult/parent understanding and what young people say (Get I.T.Safe NCH & Tesco 2006)

13. 30% bullied by mobile, by email or on the net (small in-depth Midland survey August 2008 ongoing). Of 2132 young people, well over 90% said it had never happened to them (2007) asked: ‘nasty messages or pics by text/email and nasty calls to mobile.’ No net? Are new forms not being captured?

14. 1/3 children regularly blog 67% of parents don’t know what blog is 46% of kids can get round parental blocks 53% of children are unsupervised online 78% of children use IM 29% of parents don’t know what IM is Content, Contact, Commerce, Compulsion (Get I.T.Safe NCH & Tesco 2006)

15. Excellent resources available www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications Ref DCSF-00685-2007 www.digizen.org.ukwww.digizen.org.uk Childnet CEOP Becta Byron report Local resources: Sandwell

16. Action points: what would you want to see? Educate adults – parents, carers, managers and staff in residential settings. Educate young people to be e-safe, consider e-footprint, the law, unsafe contacts, giving out personal data, hurting others. Develop better monitoring tools Evaluate what we do – Keep up!

17. Start younger Look at clubs Social networking Websites, blogs Misuse of photos Embed ‘Safe To Learn’

18. Anti Bullying work is about Inclusion Participation Equality Rights Citizenship How we want our communities to be

19. adrienne@abawestmidlands.org.uk