Cyberbullying: What You Need to Know

Timothy U. Ketterson, PhDSuzanne G. Martin, PsyD, MPH

Learning Objectives

• Describe the types of bullying via social electronic media among youth

• Describe the effects of cyberbullying• Assess for involvement in bullying at health

encounters with students• Advise center staff on warning signs of cyberbullying• Identify helpful ways to intervene when

cyberbullying is observed or reported

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Bullying Can Take Many Forms…

• Physical violence• Verbal taunts, name calling, and put downs• Threats and intimidation• Extortion or stealing money and/or possessions • Spreading rumors• Harassment via technology (email, text messaging,

Facebook, etc.)…aka cyberbullying

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Source: APA Public Interest Government Relations Office

What is Cyberbullying?

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Polling Question #1

What is your best estimate of the number of students you have encountered in the past 12 months who were cyberbully victims?a. Noneb. 1 to 5c. 6 to 10d. Over 10e. I am unsure

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What Makes Cyberbullying Different?

Both bullying and cyberbullying can be extremely hurtful and damaging to a

person; however, cyberbullying, to some victims, can be more damaging than

physical bullying.

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Bullies vs. Cyberbullies:What’s the Difference?

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Did You Know That…

• 43% of teens have been victims of cyberbullying in the last year?

• 18% of males and 16% of females report bullying others online?

• 75% of those cyberbullied know the bully?

• Nearly 30% of teens desire revenge?

• 58% of teens don’t think cyberbullying is a big deal?

• 81% believe people cyberbully because it’s funny?

• Girls claim to have been cyberbullied more than boys – 51% to 37%.

9Source: NCPC Cyberbullying Research Report, 2006

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How Are Students Cyberbullied?

Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Youth who cyberbully –

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others.

• Spread lies and rumors about victims. • Trick people into revealing personal information. • Send or forward intimidating text messages. • Post pictures of victims without their consent.

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Other Examples of Cyberbullying

• Spreading rumors about someone through instant messaging or Facebook

• Threatening someone on a blog• Creating hurtful websites against someone• Rebroadcasting still images or video footage on social

network sites• Harassing someone via text messages• Creating fake online profiles on websites such as

Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. to make fun of people

Why Cyberbully?

When it comes to cyberbullying, individuals may be motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. Sometimes they do it for entertainment or because they are bored and have too much time on their hands and too many tech devices available to them. Many do it for laughs or to get a reaction. Some do it by accident, and either send a message to the wrong recipient or didn't think before they did something.

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Polling Question #2

How familiar you are with the emotional and behavioral effects of cyberbullying?

a. Extremely familiarb. Very familiarc. Moderately familiard. Somewhat familiare. Not at all familiar

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Warning Signs

• Deteriorating performance at school• Depression• Withdrawal• Anxiety• Moody• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed• Withdrawal• Aggressive behavior

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Types of Cyberbullies

There are four types of cyberbullies :

1. The Vengeful Angel 2. The Power-Hungry or Revenge of the Nerds 3. The “Mean Girls” 4. The Inadvertent Cyberbully/“Because I Can”

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/parents/howdoyouhandleacyberbully.html

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“The Vengeful Angel”

In this type of cyberbullying, the cyberbully doesn’t see him or herself as a bully at all. They see themselves as righting wrongs, or protecting themselves or others from the “bad guy” they are now victimizing.

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“Power Hungry and Revenge of the Nerds”

Some cyberbullies want to exert their authority, show that they are powerful enough to make others do what they want and some want to control others with fear. Sometimes they want to hurt another student. Sometimes they just don’t like the other person. These are no different than the offline tough school bullies.

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“The Mean Girls”

This occurs when the cyberbully is bored or looking for entertainment. It is largely ego-based and the most immature of all cyberbullying types. Typically, in the “Mean Girls” bullying situations, the cyberbullies are female. They may be bullying other girls (most frequently) or boys (less frequently).

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“Inadvertent Bullies”

Inadvertent cyberbullies usually don’t think they are cyberbullies. They may be pretending to be tough online, or role playing, or they may be reacting to hateful or provocative messages they have received. Unlike the other cyberbullies, they don’t lash out intentionally. They just respond without thinking about the consequences of their actions.

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What About the Cyberbully?

There are long-term and short-term outcomes associated with cyberbullying

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Individuals Who Bully…

• Tend to lack empathy.• Are concerned with their own desires rather than

those of others.• Find it difficult to see things from someone else’s

perspective.• Are willing to use others to get what they want.• Are often good at talking themselves out of

trouble.• Have difficulty conforming to rules.

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Common Characteristics Among Youth Who Are Bullied

• Often stand out as different in some way:– Appearance– Sexual orientation– Intellect– Socio-economic background– Cultural or religious background– Cautious, sensitive, insecure– History of victimization (neglect, physical, sexual)– Socially isolated– Possess a disability (e.g., ADHD, LD)

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Victim Reactions

• Many students experience a variety of emotions when they are cyberbullied. Youth who are cyberbullied report feeling angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared. These emotions can cause victims to react in ways such as:– Seeking revenge on the bully – Avoiding friends and activities – Cyberbullying back

• Some teens feel threatened because they may not know who is cyberbullying them. Although cyberbullies may think they are anonymous, they can be found.

Cyberbullicide

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Preventing Cyberbullying

• Speak with other students, as well as staff and the center director to develop rules against cyberbullying.

• Raise awareness of the cyberbullying problem on your center by providing staff and student awareness training.

• Engage SGA.

Polling Question #3

Reflect on health and wellness visits with students. How often do you assess for bullying?

a. Alwaysb. Oftenc. Sometimesd. Rarelye. Never

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Student Cybersafety

• Remind students that the Internet is accessed by millions of people all over the world, not just friends and family. Below are some ways to stay cyber-safe:– Never post or share your personal information online (this

includes your full name, address, telephone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card number, or Social Security number) or your friends’ personal information.

– Never share your Internet passwords with anyone.– Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know

online. – Talk with your counselor about what you do online.

Cyberbullying Tips for Students

• Tell a trusted adult about the bullying, and keep telling until you find someone who takes action.

• Don’t open or read messages from cyberbullies.• Tell a RA, instructor, or other staff member at Job

Corps.• Don’t erase messages.• Never agree to meet face to face.• Block the bully on chat or IM.• If you are threatened with harm, inform the local

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Polling Question #4

How often have you had to intervene in a case that involved cyberbullying? a. Alwaysb. Oftenc. Sometimesd. Rarelye. Never f. N/A

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Responding to a Cyberbullying Incident

• Talk about it• Ignore It• Restrict senders• Use privacy settings• Use Google

• Block the sender• Warn the sender • Notify the ISP • Report to CD• Report to police

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Clinical Case

Questions & Discussion

Strategies for

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