Cyber Bullying Texting/Instant Messaging

Lesson One

Social Development

1 8th Grade

Cyber BullyingCyber bullying is when a child, preteen or teen

is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor.

Once adults become involved, it becomes cyber-harassment or cyber stalking. Adult cyber-harassment or cyber stalking is NEVER called cyber bullying.

2 8th Grade

Examples of Cyber Bullying

Sending mean text, e-mail, or instant messages

Posting nasty pictures or messages about others in blogs or on Web sites

Using someone else's username to spread rumors or lies about someone.

Usually, bullying happens over and over.

3 8th Grade

Cyber Bullying Texting• Because texting is not verbal, kids send hateful

and/or threatening messages to other kids without realizing how hurtful the unkind or threatening messages can be.

• Texting wars or text attacks are when kids gang up on one victim, sending thousands of text-messages to the victim's cell phone or other mobile device.

• The victim is then faced with a huge cell phone bill and angry parents.

• Kids send death threats using IM and text-messaging as well as photos/videos.

4 8th Grade

Cyber Bullying Instant Messaging

Warning wars - Many Internet Service Providers offer a way of "telling on" a user who is saying inappropriate things. Kids often engage in "warning wars" which can lead to kicking someone offline for a period of time. While this should be a security tool, kids sometimes use the Warn button as a game or prank.

A kid/teen may create a screen name that is very similar to another kid's name. The name may have an additional "i" or one less "e". They may use this name to say inappropriate things to other users while posing as the other person.

5 8th Grade

Cyber Bullying and The Law

The law, H.B. 2003, states that “a person commits a third-degree felony if the person posts one or more messages on a social networking site [or via instant messaging or text-messaging by phone] with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten another person,”.

THIRD DEGREE FELONY PUNISHMENT. (a) An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.(b)  In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.

6 8th Grade

This is the end of Cyber Bullying Texting/Instant

Messaging Lesson.

STOP

7 8th Grade

Cyber Bullying: Sexting

Lesson Two

Social Development

8 8th Grade

Sexting-It’s a Big Deal

Sexting is the sending of sexually explicit photos or texts through one’s mobile phone to friends or potential suitors.

9 8th Grade

10 8th Grade

11 8th Grade

12 8th Grade

13 8th Grade

If a photo is sent to you, do not send it to other people.

If you receive a photo from someone you know, talk to them.

If you keep receiving messages, talk to your parents, friends’ parents, school authorities or police.

If you are sending messages, stop.

14 8th Grade

1. Don’t assume anything you send or post is going to remain private.

2. There is no changing your mind in cyberspace—anything you send or post will never truly go away.

3. Don’t give into pressure to do something that make you uncomfortable.

4. Consider the recipient’s response.

5. Nothing is truly anonymous.

15 8th Grade

Your messages and images will get passed around, even if you think they won’t: 40% of teens and young adults say they have had a sexually suggestive message (originally meant to be private) shown to them and 20% say they have shared such a message with someone other than the person for whom is was originally meant.

16 8th Grade

Something that seems fun and flirty and is done on a whim will never really die. Potential employers, college recruiters,

teachers, coaches, parents, friends, enemies, strangers and others may all be able to find your past posts, even after you delete them. And it is nearly impossible to control what other

people are posting about you. Think about it:

Even if you have second thoughts and delete a racy photo, there is no telling who has already

copied that photo and posted it elsewhere.17 8th Grade

More than 40% of teens and young adults (42% total, 47% of teens, 38% of young adults) say “pressure from guys” is a reason girls and women send and post sexually suggestive messages and images.

More than 20% of teens and young adults (22% total, 24% teens, 20% young adults) say “pressure from friends” is a reason guys send andpost sexually suggestive messages and images.

18 8th Grade

Just because a message is meant to be fun doesn’t mean the person who gets it will see it that way. Four in ten teen girls who have sent sexually suggestive content did so “as a joke” but many teen boys (29%) agree that girls who send such content are “expected to date or hook up in real life.”

It’s easier to be more provocative or outgoing online, but whatever you write, post or send does contribute to the real-life impression you’re making.

Consider the Recipient’s Reaction!

19 8th Grade

Nearly one in five young people who send sexually suggestive messages and images, do so to people they only know online (18% total, 15% teens, 19% young adults).

It is important to remember that even if someone only knows you by screen name, online profile, phone number or email address, that they can probably find you if they try hard enough.

Nothing is Truly Anonymous!

20 8th Grade