Cyberbullying
What is Cyber Bullying?
Cyberbullying (or online bullying) is repeated, unwanted, or cruel behavior against someone through computers, cell phones, gaming consoles, or other Internet-enabled means. Cyberbullying, like traditional bullying, involves a negative action, which is often repeated, and an imbalance of power. In traditional forms of bullying, individuals may have more power over another by being bigger, stronger, or more popular. With cyberbullying, an individual may have more power just by being able to instantly share negative comments or photographs with a multitude of people by e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, or through Web site posts. Cyberbullying may also involve several individuals targeting one individual, or a more popular student targeting a less popular classmate. Traditional bullying is also defined by mean or negative actions being repeated and occurring over time. When someone is cyberbullied, this repetition of negative behavior can occur by sending one embarrassing photo or one degrading e-mail message, which may in turn be forwarded to an entire class or grade level. The perpetrator, while usually known in a traditional bullying situation, might go unidentified in the case of cyber bullying.
Why do kids cyberbully?
Cyberbullying is attractive to bullies because online actions are definitely more anonymous than, for example, verbal abuse in the locker room. Kids often feel that their online anonymous persona allows them to get away with hurting those who are not part of their group. They can, for example, go into a chat room and pretend to be someone they aren't, and if the chat room is not monitored, their language and actions will not usually be criticized by those in the chat. Using someone else's user name and password, they can pretend to be this person in a chat, post information under the person's name in a discussion group or blog, and send email and messages which look like they came from that person, and even pose as that person in an online game.
When does cyberbullying occur?
Unlike physical bullying, where the victim can often walk away, the Internet is always “on,” opening the door for 24-hour harassment. When a student is cyberbullied, the incident can happen whenever someone turns on their computer or goes online. This often happens at home at any time of the day or night. Cyberbullying poses unique challenges because it frequently happens outside of the school setting, and thus may be difficult for educators to observe. It can also happen in school with students secretly using their cell phones. In addition, since students may feel invisible or anonymous online, it may lead to a greater willingness to engage in negative actions.
Who cyberbullies?
Cyberbullies can be anonymous. They never have to confront their victims. They don’t have to be physically stronger. Cyberbullies can be virtually invisible to parents and adults. Although many cyberbullies are classmates and others who are known to the victim, sometimes bullies only know the victim through online interaction, usually chats, Instant Messages, online games and email. The bullies, both known and unknown, often befriend victims so that they can extract personal information from them. The victims, thinking the bully is a good friend, reveal passwords and other information that they would not want spread throughout their classroom, school, or the Internet. It's difficult for parents and teachers to understand why young people can be so trusting with those they don't know. A look at their email address books or their Instant Message buddy lists should be enough to convince you that there is no way for your students to have that many "close" friends. Many times, however, young people, especially those who do not feel they are fitting in with their peers in school or in the neighborhood will turn for friendship to "friends" online. These friendships can be very positive unless the "friend" online is looking for someone to take advantage of, just like the bullies at school.
What kinds of things do cyberbullies do?
A cyberbully may:
• Deliberately shut someone out of an online group—an instant messaging (IM) buddy list, for example.
• Send hurtful or threatening messages to a victim’s cell phone, harass a person in an online game, post embarrassing pictures on a social networking site (like MySpace), or share a humiliating video on a site such as YouTube.
• Disclose secrets or private information—for example, forwarding a confidential e-mail or text message.
• Impersonate the victim and post hateful comments, or belittle the victim’s friends on a blog.
• Pretend to befriend a victim, gain his trust, and then turn on him.
• Steal an individual’s name and password to a social networking site, then use their profile to post rumors, gossip or other damaging information.
• Alter photographs using PhotoShop or other photo editing software in order to humiliate the individual.
• Record conversations without the individual’s knowledge or consent, then posting the call online.
• Create confrontational and mean-spirited online polls about the individual and posting them on different web sites.
• Use web sites and blogs to post hurtful, embarrassing information about another individual.
What are the effects of cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying methods may be virtual, but the pain is real—anger, embarrassment, frustration, confusion, fear. Victims of cyberbullying may withdraw from friends, skip school, experience depression, consider—or even commit—suicide. Cyberbullying is correlated with significant health and psychological issues among young people. Low self-esteem, poor academic performance, stress, depression, emotionally distress (frightened, irritable, embarrassed) and, in some cases violence or even suicide (Finkelhoret al., 2000; Meadows, et al., 2005; Vossekuil et al., 2002; Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkerlor, 2006). Youth, who reported bully/victim behaviors, are likely to reveal psychosocial challenges, including problem behaviors, drinking alcohol, smoking, depressive symptomatology, and low school commitment (Ybarra & Mitchell, 2004).
And, the bully’s abuse can echo forever. College administrators, employers, friends, and others who search the Internet for a name years later may find the lies and insults.
Cyberbullying is bad for bullies, too. They may be disliked by teachers, find it hard to make or keep friends, and face a future with higher rates of unsuccessful relationships, failure at work, substance abuse, or imprisonment.
What are some statistics about cyberbullying?
The full scope of cyberbullying is difficult to measure. However, we do know that nearly one in six U.S. children grades 6 to 10 (that’s 3.2 million students) is a victim of online bullying each year.(Source: National Council of Juvenile Court Judges).
• Over 40% of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online during the past year.
• Girls are more likely than boys to be the target of cyberbullying. Also, there is a direct correlation to the amount of time girls spend online and the likelihood that they will be bullied.
• 10% of those kids who were bullied told their parents about the incident
• Only 15% of parents are “in the know” about their kids’ social networking habits, and how these behaviors can lead to cyberbullying.
• According to a recent study, 58% of 4th through 8th graders reported having mean or cruel things said to them online. 53% said that they have said mean or hurtful things to others while online. 42% of those studied said that they had been “bullied online”, but almost 60% have never told their parents about the incident.
• Cell phone cameras and digital cameras are a growing problem in the cyberbullying world. A recent survey found that 10% of 770 young people surveyed were made to feel “threatened, embarrassed or uncomfortable” by a photo taken of them using a cell-phone camera.
Source: National Crime Prevention Council
What should students do if they face cyberbullying?
Bullying should not be tolerated, whether in school or in cyberspace.
Here is what to do about it:
• Sign off the computer.
• Leave the chat room or Web site.
• Block the bully’s messages.
• Save and print the bully’s E-mails or your message logs.
• Never reply to a bully.
• Talk over how to handle the situation with a friend.
• Report your experience to a parent, teacher, school counselor or other trusted adult.
What can teachers do?
• Be aware of the many forms of cyberbullying.
• Help your students understand problems created by cyberbullying. Make it clear that harassment and threats are considered criminal behavior and that parents can be liable for their children's actions. Parents, for example, can be sued if their children violate civil code relating to invasion of privacy, defaming of character, etc.
• Give your students instructions as to what they should do if they encounter cyberbullying.
• Make it clear that those who are being bullied are not responsible for what is happening to them.
• Encourage your students to stand up for others who are being bullied.
• Look for signs that a child in your class may be being bullied.• Work with your students on positive uses of technologies.
Here's a list to give to your students:
What to Do If You Think Someone is Cyberbullying You
1. Do not reply to any messages from a cyberbully. Cyberbullies want you to reply, so that they can see how upset they made you. Besides, if your reply is as nasty as the cyberbully's, it could get you in trouble. Cyberbullies have been known to give teachers or Internet Providers copies of "unpleasant" email they receive, which gets the person who responded in big trouble.
2. Do not even consider that what the cyberbully says is true. The cyberbully is making up things that are meant to hurt you.
3. Keep in mind that the cyberbullies try to make you look bad so that they can look good.
4. Save everything sent to you by cyberbullies. This way the information may be used to trace it to the person who sent it.
5. Tell your parents, teacher or school counselor right away. This is NOT something that you should hide because you feel badly about it.
6. Remember that you are not the only kid who may be having problems with cyberbullies. Lots of kids do. That's why is not a great idea to keep quiet about a problem like this.
Resources:
Cyberbullying -Guides for parents and teachers.
STOP Cyberbullying - Includes lots of information about handling online bullies.
Free CyberSmart! Curriculum
Anti- Defamation League- Cyberbullying Lessons for Middle School
Cyberbullying Research Center
Wired Safety
Sources:
Kimberly Mason, Ph.D., NCC, Assistant Professor, Counseling Program, Cleveland State University
National Crime Prevention Council
New York Center for School Safety
Cyberbullying (or online bullying) is repeated, unwanted, or cruel behavior against someone through computers, cell phones, gaming consoles, or other Internet-enabled means. Cyberbullying, like traditional bullying, involves a negative action, which is often repeated, and an imbalance of power. In traditional forms of bullying, individuals may have more power over another by being bigger, stronger, or more popular. With cyberbullying, an individual may have more power just by being able to instantly share negative comments or photographs with a multitude of people by e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, or through Web site posts. Cyberbullying may also involve several individuals targeting one individual, or a more popular student targeting a less popular classmate. Traditional bullying is also defined by mean or negative actions being repeated and occurring over time. When someone is cyberbullied, this repetition of negative behavior can occur by sending one embarrassing photo or one degrading e-mail message, which may in turn be forwarded to an entire class or grade level. The perpetrator, while usually known in a traditional bullying situation, might go unidentified in the case of cyber bullying.
Why do kids cyberbully?
Cyberbullying is attractive to bullies because online actions are definitely more anonymous than, for example, verbal abuse in the locker room. Kids often feel that their online anonymous persona allows them to get away with hurting those who are not part of their group. They can, for example, go into a chat room and pretend to be someone they aren't, and if the chat room is not monitored, their language and actions will not usually be criticized by those in the chat. Using someone else's user name and password, they can pretend to be this person in a chat, post information under the person's name in a discussion group or blog, and send email and messages which look like they came from that person, and even pose as that person in an online game.
When does cyberbullying occur?
Unlike physical bullying, where the victim can often walk away, the Internet is always “on,” opening the door for 24-hour harassment. When a student is cyberbullied, the incident can happen whenever someone turns on their computer or goes online. This often happens at home at any time of the day or night. Cyberbullying poses unique challenges because it frequently happens outside of the school setting, and thus may be difficult for educators to observe. It can also happen in school with students secretly using their cell phones. In addition, since students may feel invisible or anonymous online, it may lead to a greater willingness to engage in negative actions.
Who cyberbullies?
Cyberbullies can be anonymous. They never have to confront their victims. They don’t have to be physically stronger. Cyberbullies can be virtually invisible to parents and adults. Although many cyberbullies are classmates and others who are known to the victim, sometimes bullies only know the victim through online interaction, usually chats, Instant Messages, online games and email. The bullies, both known and unknown, often befriend victims so that they can extract personal information from them. The victims, thinking the bully is a good friend, reveal passwords and other information that they would not want spread throughout their classroom, school, or the Internet. It's difficult for parents and teachers to understand why young people can be so trusting with those they don't know. A look at their email address books or their Instant Message buddy lists should be enough to convince you that there is no way for your students to have that many "close" friends. Many times, however, young people, especially those who do not feel they are fitting in with their peers in school or in the neighborhood will turn for friendship to "friends" online. These friendships can be very positive unless the "friend" online is looking for someone to take advantage of, just like the bullies at school.
What kinds of things do cyberbullies do?
A cyberbully may:
• Deliberately shut someone out of an online group—an instant messaging (IM) buddy list, for example.
• Send hurtful or threatening messages to a victim’s cell phone, harass a person in an online game, post embarrassing pictures on a social networking site (like MySpace), or share a humiliating video on a site such as YouTube.
• Disclose secrets or private information—for example, forwarding a confidential e-mail or text message.
• Impersonate the victim and post hateful comments, or belittle the victim’s friends on a blog.
• Pretend to befriend a victim, gain his trust, and then turn on him.
• Steal an individual’s name and password to a social networking site, then use their profile to post rumors, gossip or other damaging information.
• Alter photographs using PhotoShop or other photo editing software in order to humiliate the individual.
• Record conversations without the individual’s knowledge or consent, then posting the call online.
• Create confrontational and mean-spirited online polls about the individual and posting them on different web sites.
• Use web sites and blogs to post hurtful, embarrassing information about another individual.
What are the effects of cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying methods may be virtual, but the pain is real—anger, embarrassment, frustration, confusion, fear. Victims of cyberbullying may withdraw from friends, skip school, experience depression, consider—or even commit—suicide. Cyberbullying is correlated with significant health and psychological issues among young people. Low self-esteem, poor academic performance, stress, depression, emotionally distress (frightened, irritable, embarrassed) and, in some cases violence or even suicide (Finkelhoret al., 2000; Meadows, et al., 2005; Vossekuil et al., 2002; Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkerlor, 2006). Youth, who reported bully/victim behaviors, are likely to reveal psychosocial challenges, including problem behaviors, drinking alcohol, smoking, depressive symptomatology, and low school commitment (Ybarra & Mitchell, 2004).
And, the bully’s abuse can echo forever. College administrators, employers, friends, and others who search the Internet for a name years later may find the lies and insults.
Cyberbullying is bad for bullies, too. They may be disliked by teachers, find it hard to make or keep friends, and face a future with higher rates of unsuccessful relationships, failure at work, substance abuse, or imprisonment.
What are some statistics about cyberbullying?
The full scope of cyberbullying is difficult to measure. However, we do know that nearly one in six U.S. children grades 6 to 10 (that’s 3.2 million students) is a victim of online bullying each year.(Source: National Council of Juvenile Court Judges).
• Over 40% of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online during the past year.
• Girls are more likely than boys to be the target of cyberbullying. Also, there is a direct correlation to the amount of time girls spend online and the likelihood that they will be bullied.
• 10% of those kids who were bullied told their parents about the incident
• Only 15% of parents are “in the know” about their kids’ social networking habits, and how these behaviors can lead to cyberbullying.
• According to a recent study, 58% of 4th through 8th graders reported having mean or cruel things said to them online. 53% said that they have said mean or hurtful things to others while online. 42% of those studied said that they had been “bullied online”, but almost 60% have never told their parents about the incident.
• Cell phone cameras and digital cameras are a growing problem in the cyberbullying world. A recent survey found that 10% of 770 young people surveyed were made to feel “threatened, embarrassed or uncomfortable” by a photo taken of them using a cell-phone camera.
Source: National Crime Prevention Council
What should students do if they face cyberbullying?
Bullying should not be tolerated, whether in school or in cyberspace.
Here is what to do about it:
• Sign off the computer.
• Leave the chat room or Web site.
• Block the bully’s messages.
• Save and print the bully’s E-mails or your message logs.
• Never reply to a bully.
• Talk over how to handle the situation with a friend.
• Report your experience to a parent, teacher, school counselor or other trusted adult.
What can teachers do?
• Be aware of the many forms of cyberbullying.
• Help your students understand problems created by cyberbullying. Make it clear that harassment and threats are considered criminal behavior and that parents can be liable for their children's actions. Parents, for example, can be sued if their children violate civil code relating to invasion of privacy, defaming of character, etc.
• Give your students instructions as to what they should do if they encounter cyberbullying.
• Make it clear that those who are being bullied are not responsible for what is happening to them.
• Encourage your students to stand up for others who are being bullied.
• Look for signs that a child in your class may be being bullied.• Work with your students on positive uses of technologies.
Here's a list to give to your students:
What to Do If You Think Someone is Cyberbullying You
1. Do not reply to any messages from a cyberbully. Cyberbullies want you to reply, so that they can see how upset they made you. Besides, if your reply is as nasty as the cyberbully's, it could get you in trouble. Cyberbullies have been known to give teachers or Internet Providers copies of "unpleasant" email they receive, which gets the person who responded in big trouble.
2. Do not even consider that what the cyberbully says is true. The cyberbully is making up things that are meant to hurt you.
3. Keep in mind that the cyberbullies try to make you look bad so that they can look good.
4. Save everything sent to you by cyberbullies. This way the information may be used to trace it to the person who sent it.
5. Tell your parents, teacher or school counselor right away. This is NOT something that you should hide because you feel badly about it.
6. Remember that you are not the only kid who may be having problems with cyberbullies. Lots of kids do. That's why is not a great idea to keep quiet about a problem like this.
Resources:
Cyberbullying -Guides for parents and teachers.
STOP Cyberbullying - Includes lots of information about handling online bullies.
Free CyberSmart! Curriculum
Anti- Defamation League- Cyberbullying Lessons for Middle School
Cyberbullying Research Center
Wired Safety
Sources:
Kimberly Mason, Ph.D., NCC, Assistant Professor, Counseling Program, Cleveland State University
National Crime Prevention Council
New York Center for School Safety
