CyberbullyingCyberbullyingA New Twist to an Age-Old A New Twist to an Age-Old

ProblemProblem

What Students Need to KnowWhat Students Need to Know

By Mary Alice OsborneBy Mary Alice OsborneSIS Bayside LibrarianSIS Bayside Librarian

What is Cyberbullying?What is Cyberbullying?

BetrayalBetrayalA clique of 8th grade girls A clique of 8th grade girls

sleeping over at one friend’s sleeping over at one friend’s house, pretend to befriend house, pretend to befriend an unpopular girl on Instant an unpopular girl on Instant Messenger. They persuade Messenger. They persuade her to divulge her inner-her to divulge her inner-most feelings, secrets, and most feelings, secrets, and crushes. The next day at crushes. The next day at school they show everyone school they show everyone a print-out of the a print-out of the conversation, and she is conversation, and she is mortified.mortified.

A Breach of PrivacyA Breach of PrivacyMarty, a high school junior, Marty, a high school junior,

secretly takes a cell-phone secretly takes a cell-phone photo of Joseph, an over-photo of Joseph, an over-weight kid, who is weight kid, who is undressing in the gym locker undressing in the gym locker room. Within minutes, the room. Within minutes, the photo is sent to Marty’s photo is sent to Marty’s friends in English class. friends in English class. When Joseph finds out, he is When Joseph finds out, he is so embarrassed he refuses so embarrassed he refuses to return to school.to return to school.

Unwanted and Threatening Unwanted and Threatening PostingsPostings

14 year old Joy has created a Web Blog, all 14 year old Joy has created a Web Blog, all about herself. An anonymous person about herself. An anonymous person starts posting threatening sexual starts posting threatening sexual comments with links to porn sites on comments with links to porn sites on her blog.her blog.

What is Cyberbullying?What is Cyberbullying? Using e-mail, chat rooms, websites and Using e-mail, chat rooms, websites and

other forms of other forms of electric communicationelectric communication to:to:• send mean-spirited messages send mean-spirited messages • make cruel and harmful remarks about make cruel and harmful remarks about

individuals individuals • post unflattering or derogatory photos post unflattering or derogatory photos • make direct threats or encourage acts of make direct threats or encourage acts of

violence violence • sexually harasssexually harass

CyberbullyingCyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the repeated Cyberbullying is the repeated misuse of these technologies misuse of these technologies to harass, intimidate, bully, or to harass, intimidate, bully, or terrorize another personterrorize another person..

THE VICTIMSTHE VICTIMS

12 year-old girl from Virginia:12 year-old girl from Virginia:

““Being bulliedBeing bullied makes me feel really bad, makes me feel really bad, and I often get depressed later at home. I and I often get depressed later at home. I would also plot revenge and privately would also plot revenge and privately express my 'hatred' towards the bully, but express my 'hatred' towards the bully, but I doubt I would really do anything about I doubt I would really do anything about it...I don't usually go to adults to 'tattle' on it...I don't usually go to adults to 'tattle' on people, even though I know it's not people, even though I know it's not tattling, it's real.”tattling, it's real.”

14 year-old girl from New Jersey:14 year-old girl from New Jersey:

““Being bulliedBeing bullied over the internet is worse. It's over the internet is worse. It's torment and hurts. They say "sticks and torment and hurts. They say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That quote is a lie and will never hurt me." That quote is a lie and I don't believe in it. Sticks and stones may I don't believe in it. Sticks and stones may cause nasty cuts and scars, but those cuts cause nasty cuts and scars, but those cuts and scars will heal. Insulting words hurt and scars will heal. Insulting words hurt and sometimes take forever to heal.” and sometimes take forever to heal.”

14 year-old girl from Illinois:14 year-old girl from Illinois:

“I still cry when I think of what she “I still cry when I think of what she said. After awhile you start believing said. After awhile you start believing all of the things people tell you that all of the things people tell you that aren't true. When I look in the mirror aren't true. When I look in the mirror I wonder if I'm fat (I'm not) after what I wonder if I'm fat (I'm not) after what my ex-friend said.”my ex-friend said.”

15 year-old girl from the United Kingdom:15 year-old girl from the United Kingdom:

““One of my friends started One of my friends started hassling mehassling me on msn on msn messenger; she was sending me nasty messages messenger; she was sending me nasty messages and text messages and this carried on at school. I and text messages and this carried on at school. I told my parents, my friends, and a teacher. she told my parents, my friends, and a teacher. she was spoken to a few times but it still carries on a was spoken to a few times but it still carries on a bit now but not as bad because i have blocked bit now but not as bad because i have blocked her online. This really affected me at home and at her online. This really affected me at home and at school; I couldn't concentrate on school work and school; I couldn't concentrate on school work and I was always upset and down now I just ignore it I was always upset and down now I just ignore it and get on with it, I have plenty more friends and and get on with it, I have plenty more friends and i don't need her anymore. Maybe one day she will i don't need her anymore. Maybe one day she will give up and grow up.”give up and grow up.”

Ryan Patrick Halligan was bullied for months online. Classmates sent the Ryan Patrick Halligan was bullied for months online. Classmates sent the 13-year-old Essex Junction, Vt., boy instant messages calling him gay. 13-year-old Essex Junction, Vt., boy instant messages calling him gay. He was threatened, taunted and insulted incessantly by so-called He was threatened, taunted and insulted incessantly by so-called cyberbullies.cyberbullies.

In 2003, Ryan killed himself.In 2003, Ryan killed himself.

““He just went into a deep spiral in eighth grade. He couldn’t shake this He just went into a deep spiral in eighth grade. He couldn’t shake this rumor,” said Ryan’s father, John Halligan, who became a key rumor,” said Ryan’s father, John Halligan, who became a key proponent of a state law that forced Vermont schools to put anti-proponent of a state law that forced Vermont schools to put anti-bullying rules in place. He’s now pushing for a broader law to punish bullying rules in place. He’s now pushing for a broader law to punish cyberbullying — often done at home after school — and wants every cyberbullying — often done at home after school — and wants every other state to enact laws expressly prohibiting it.other state to enact laws expressly prohibiting it.

How Extensive is Cyberbullying?How Extensive is Cyberbullying?

In a new survey of 5,500 teens by In a new survey of 5,500 teens by MindOh!, an educational company MindOh!, an educational company that studies youth trends, nearly that studies youth trends, nearly 80 80 percentpercent said they have read or said they have read or spread gossip online; more than half spread gossip online; more than half said they had seen Web sites that said they had seen Web sites that made fun of their peers. made fun of their peers.

Who are the Cyberbullies?Who are the Cyberbullies?

• Individuals: Individuals: with no strong relationships with no strong relationships who are immature who are immature who are involved with hate who are involved with hate groups groups

who have been bullied who have been bullied themselves themselves

•CliquesCliques

THE OFFENDERSTHE OFFENDERS

15 year-old boy from undisclosed 15 year-old boy from undisclosed location:location:

““Well the only reason I bullied is Well the only reason I bullied is because the same person I was doing because the same person I was doing it to, did it to me like a week before. it to, did it to me like a week before. It wasn't the right thing to do but at It wasn't the right thing to do but at the time it felt like I was getting the time it felt like I was getting revenge.”revenge.”

15 year-old girl from Canada:15 year-old girl from Canada:Sometimes I get insulted for no reason because i Sometimes I get insulted for no reason because i

said my mind so then I get into a fight and feel said my mind so then I get into a fight and feel good when i convince the person/change their good when i convince the person/change their perspective/prove I'm right because it shows I perspective/prove I'm right because it shows I have an impact on people. Once I got into a huge have an impact on people. Once I got into a huge fight because these girls were fight because these girls were bullyingbullying one of my one of my friends and I tried to tell them to stop resulting in friends and I tried to tell them to stop resulting in them insulting me very badly but me getting them insulting me very badly but me getting insulting them all the same. They made threats to insulting them all the same. They made threats to beat her up, what else could I do? They printed beat her up, what else could I do? They printed out what I said but not what they said and showed out what I said but not what they said and showed the principal. I got in a lot of trouble but talked the principal. I got in a lot of trouble but talked my way out of it telling the TRUTH (something my way out of it telling the TRUTH (something THEY didn’t do) and got let off with a warning.THEY didn’t do) and got let off with a warning.

Why do people bully?Why do people bully?

Continuation of face-to-face bullying Continuation of face-to-face bullying Anger Anger Jealousy Jealousy Peer pressure Peer pressure Fun Fun

Why the Internet can Foster Why the Internet can Foster CyberbullyingCyberbullying

No tangible feedback No tangible feedback Sense of being anonymous Sense of being anonymous Multiple on-line personas Multiple on-line personas Encouraged by role-playing games Encouraged by role-playing games Sense of power Sense of power No responsible adult in evidence No responsible adult in evidence

Impact on VictimsImpact on Victims

Why is it so pervasive?Why is it so pervasive?

With Cyberbullying, this is a 24/7 With Cyberbullying, this is a 24/7 problem and often occurs in the problem and often occurs in the supposed safety and security of the supposed safety and security of the home. home.

There is a social stigma attached to There is a social stigma attached to reporting these incidents to an adult reporting these incidents to an adult - parent or teacher. - parent or teacher.

Adults may be out of the loopAdults may be out of the loop

They aren’t paying attention!They aren’t paying attention!

Teachers and Parents should:Teachers and Parents should:• Know what kids are doing on-line.Know what kids are doing on-line.• Keep computers in a public area.Keep computers in a public area.• Periodically look at files on the computerPeriodically look at files on the computer• Search for your child’s name on-lineSearch for your child’s name on-line

Why Don’t Victims Ask for Why Don’t Victims Ask for Help?Help?

Kids view the Internet is a lifeline to Kids view the Internet is a lifeline to their peer group. their peer group.

Kids don’t want adults to know they Kids don’t want adults to know they have a problem with cyberbullying have a problem with cyberbullying because they fear that adults will because they fear that adults will take their computer away.take their computer away.

Don’t Be a Victim!Don’t Be a Victim!

Talk about bullying in general with friends, Talk about bullying in general with friends, teachers and family. teachers and family.

Discuss what personal information is Discuss what personal information is appropriate to tell others, and what is not. appropriate to tell others, and what is not.

Visit some popular teen sites with your Visit some popular teen sites with your parents, teachers, or friends and discuss parents, teachers, or friends and discuss what you see there and what could be a what you see there and what could be a danger. danger.

Learn to develop realistic expectations for Learn to develop realistic expectations for both personal and on-line relationships. both personal and on-line relationships.

How to Stop a CyberbullyHow to Stop a CyberbullyTips from WiredSafety.orgTips from WiredSafety.org

Be private - keep passwords, pictures Be private - keep passwords, pictures and secrets to yourself. and secrets to yourself.

Take five - don’t reply in anger. Take five - don’t reply in anger. Stop, block and tell - don’t reply, Stop, block and tell - don’t reply,

block the sender, tell someone. block the sender, tell someone. Save the evidence - on your Save the evidence - on your

computer or print out. computer or print out. Google yourself.Google yourself.

Have You Experienced Have You Experienced Cyberbullying?Cyberbullying?

Try this Cyberbullying Quiz from Try this Cyberbullying Quiz from Wired Kids Website:Wired Kids Website:

http://www.wiredkids.org/ktt_universal/gahttp://www.wiredkids.org/ktt_universal/games/javascript/cyberbullying_quiz_1/index.mes/javascript/cyberbullying_quiz_1/index.htmlhtml

Steps to Take if you believe you Steps to Take if you believe you have been a victim of have been a victim of

CyberbullyingCyberbullying Determine if cyberbullying is actually going on. Determine if cyberbullying is actually going on. Save the evidence. Save the evidence. Identify the sender - contact your ISP  (Internet Identify the sender - contact your ISP  (Internet

Service Provider) if necessary. Service Provider) if necessary. Contact the offender’s parents - who may or may Contact the offender’s parents - who may or may

not be supportive.  Back up your remarks with not be supportive.  Back up your remarks with written evidence. written evidence.

Contact your school. Contact your school. If warranted, contact an attorney. If warranted, contact an attorney. Threats, extortion, sexual harassment should be Threats, extortion, sexual harassment should be

reported to the police. reported to the police.

Online Resources about Online Resources about CyberbullyingCyberbullying

WiredSafety.org: WiredSafety.org: This website helps victims of all types of This website helps victims of all types of cyber crimes including cyberbullying. cyber crimes including cyberbullying. http://www.wiredsafety.org/youth.htmlhttp://www.wiredsafety.org/youth.html

Internet Super heros Website: Delivering smart, safe Internet Super heros Website: Delivering smart, safe and responsible surfing messages to children, teens, and responsible surfing messages to children, teens, schools and parents, online and offline.schools and parents, online and offline.http://http://www.internetsuperheroes.orgwww.internetsuperheroes.org//

Cyberbullying Website, Cyberbullying Website, created by Bill Belsey as a created by Bill Belsey as a partner site to partner site to http://bullying.orghttp://bullying.org / / http://http://cyberbullying.orgcyberbullying.org//

Educator’s Guide to Cyberbullying, Educator’s Guide to Cyberbullying, Center for Safe and Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use: explains cyberbullying and ways Responsible Internet Use: explains cyberbullying and ways to stop it. to stop it. http://http://cyberbully.org/docs/cbcteducator.pdfcyberbully.org/docs/cbcteducator.pdf

News reports about CyberbullyingNews reports about Cyberbullying http://cyberbully.org/newsreports.htmlhttp://cyberbully.org/newsreports.html

BibliographyBibliography Koessler Family Library Media Center, Koessler Family Library Media Center,

Nardin Academy, Buffalo, NY. Nardin Academy, Buffalo, NY. http://http://www.nardin.org/Library/Cyberbullying_files/www.nardin.org/Library/Cyberbullying_files/frame.htmframe.htm

Foiling Cyberbullies in the New Wild WestFoiling Cyberbullies in the New Wild West.  .  By Mark Franek, Educational Leadership; By Mark Franek, Educational Leadership; Dec2005/Jan2006, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p39-43, 5p.   Dec2005/Jan2006, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p39-43, 5p.   

THE WEB: The Bully's New Playground, THE WEB: The Bully's New Playground, by by Bob Meadows, Jenni Bergal, Steve Helling, Bob Meadows, Jenni Bergal, Steve Helling, Jennifer Odell, et.al., People; 3/14/2005, Vol. 63 Jennifer Odell, et.al., People; 3/14/2005, Vol. 63 Issue 10, p152-156, 4p, 6c   Issue 10, p152-156, 4p, 6c