Bullying in a Cyber World

OBJECTIVESFollowing completion of this session you will be able to:

• Define cyber-bullying

• Identify the various ways cyber-bullying can happen

• Identify positive strategies for managing cyber-bullying

• Identify resources to help those who experience cyber-bullying

Think About a Time…Before we get started today, I want you to think about a time when you experienced bullying…

…how did you feel when you were being bullied?

…had you done anything that caused the bullying?

…who was there to help you?

…how did you feel after the experience? Why?

Types of BullyingThere are four main types of bullying:

1. Physical: Direct contact between the bully and his/her victim

2. Social: Humiliating or embarrassing an individual in a public manner

3. Psychological: Working to destroy feelings of self-esteem and worth in others

4. Cyber: Using social media to spread harmful words/images of others

Cyber-Bullying…In Your Own Words

How would you define ‘cyber-bullying’?

What images come to mind when you hear that term?

Have you ever been a victim of cyber-bullying?

Witnessed someone else who was a victim?

Have you ever been the bully?

What is Cyber-Bullying?Cyber-bullying is defined as…

…the act of bullying a target using technology such as cell phones or the Internet as a vehicle.

Bullying in a Cyber World, Didax 2012

What words jump out most in that definition?

Why?

Did you know??You may be wondering why we are focusing on cyber-bullying… What does any of this have to do with me?

•1 out of every 4 teens report being bullied•An estimated 160,000 students stay home each day

as a result of being bullied•1 out of every 5 kids admit to being the bully•Each month an estimated 282,000 students are

physically attacked at school•58% of teens report being bullied in an email/social

media/online environmenthttp://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu

Why are people bullied?Some of the common reasons people are bullied include:• Race: Possessing different colored skin, hair or facial

features

• Religion/Culture: Following a belief or practice different from others

• Sexual Orientation: Those who are gay or perceived to be gay

• Physical Ability: Having a recognized physical disability

• Intellectual Ability: Having recognized cognitivedisabilities

• Social Status: Having limited financial means; not wearing latest fashions or possessing latest trends

• Personality: Being shy or timid in group settings

Types of Cyber-BullyingThere are many ways in which bullies use technology to attack others. Some of those include:

•Cyber-stalking•Flaming•Exclusion•Outing•Masquerading•Harassment•Denigration

Types of Cyber-BullyingCyber-stalking: Occurs when an individual repeatedly sends threatening messages via the Internet or cell phone

Flaming: Sending negative messages via chatrooms, email and instant messaging formats

Exclusion: Occurs when an individual is singled out or purposely kept out of a group(s)

Types of Cyber-BullyingOuting: Occurs when a message intended to be private is purposely released to multiple people

Masquerading: When an individual pretends to be someone he/she is not; often taking the identity of their target and spreading false information

Harassment: Occurs when someone repeatedly sends offensive, rude or insulting messages

Denigration: The act of purposely ridiculing someone online; starting rumors

Negative Impacts of Cyber-Bullying

Students who are victims of cyber-bullying report the following negative impacts:

• Increased absences from school• Increased thoughts of suicide or self-harm• Increased thoughts of harming the bully and/or others• Decreased feelings of self-worth• Dramatic increases/decreases in appetite• Increased emotions like anxiety, depression, fear,

sadness and anger• Increased physical problems (whether from bully or

other means) bruises, cuts/scrapes, stomachaches, headaches

Keeping Yourself Safe

Social Media

is Everywhere

Keeping Yourself Safe OnlineIt is often said the best offense is a good defense. Taking steps to protect yourself can help prevent potential bullying online:

•Protect your identity by keeping profiles restricted or hidden

•Do not share personal pictures or images online•Avoid posting or sharing anything personal in

messages, texts or tweets•Never share passwords or usernames•When in doubt, always ask a trusted adult

Strategies for Coping with Bullies

The following strategies can help positively cope with bullies:• Tell someone – The most important step is for the child or young person to talk to

someone they trust about what is happening. This may be a parent, friend, teacher or counselor.

• Don’t reply to bullying messages – This may make the situation worse.  By replying, the bully gets what he or she wants. Often, if the child does not reply, the bully will get bored and leave them alone.

• Block the cyber-bully – Depending on the way that the bully is communicating with the young person, it may be possible to block their messages or texts. If your child is not sure how, your phone or internet service provider can help you.

• Report the problem – Your child’s school may have policies about cyber-bullying and can take action against it. Your ISP or phone provider may also be able to help. Websites like Facebook and MySpace have links where you can report abuse.

• Keep the evidence – Keeping copies of texts, emails, online conversations or voicemails as evidence can be useful if it comes to tracking the bully down.

• Change your contact details – Get a new user name for the internet, a new email account, a new mobile phone number and only give them out to your closest friends.

• If messages are threatening or serious, get in touch with the police – Cyber-bullying, if it’s threatening, is illegal and the police may be able to take action

Help Create AwarenessFor the following activity, you will work as a team to develop one of the following media awareness items:

• Public Service Announcement• Educational Poster• Bumper Sticker• Skit

NOTE: Regardless of which option you select, it must be educational, appropriate and help increase awareness about cyber-bullying and how to prevent/stop it.

Group ShareI would like every group to present their media awareness product. Explain the following to everyone:

• Why did you choose to create this specific product?

• How would you see it being used in real life?• What challenges did you experience while putting

everything together?• How did you overcome those challenges?

Session Take-AwaysWhen you leave today, I hope you remember the following:

1. Bullying, whether via social media or in-person, is not acceptable and can be punishable as a crime in some states

2. You can prevent some cyber-bullying by protecting what you make visible online; less is always better

3. If you are the victim of either bullying or cyber-bullying, report it immediately to a trusted adult

4. Always try to put yourself ‘in the shoes’ of someone else; How would you want to be treated?

5. If you witness someone being bullied, reach out to him/her and help them report it

QUESTIONS

What questions are there at this time?