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What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that
occurs electronically. It can happen in an e-mail, an instant message, a text or
photo on a cell phone, a web page, a blog, a chat room or discussion group or
any other information communication technology. If you are a teen, chances are
good that you have:
- been bullied online
- bullied someone else online
- seen someone else bullied
online
- or all of the above.
How does cyberbullying differ
from other forms of bullying?
- It is more invasive. A person
who is being bullied on the playground can seek refuge at home. But for the
person who is being bullied online, there is no safety at home. The taunts,
insults and rumors come into the home anytime, day or night. The victim
cannot get away.
- The audience is larger. When a
person is bullied on the playground, only a few other people see it. But
when the bullying occurs online, the experience can be shared with virtually
anyone.
- It lasts longer. If a
cyberbully posts something online, it could potentially be there forever.
- It lends itself to even greater
cruelty. When bullying occurs face to face, the bully can see the impact he
or she is having on the victim. He or she sees the tears etc. and might back
off if he/she believes he's "gotten" the victim or "taught him/her a
lesson." But with cyberbullying, the bully doesn't see the impact it's
having on the victim; thus it can go on longer and it lends itself to
greater cruelty
Why do people bully others online?
According to StopCyberbullying.com, there
are several different kinds of cyberbullies. Each one bullies for a different reason:
- The “Vengeful Angel.”
The Vengeful Angel doesn’t see himself as a bully; this person believes he
is “righting wrongs” and protecting himself and others from the “bad guy” he
is now bullying. This person may be a victim of offline bullying or other
cyberbullying, so he becomes a cyberbully to get even. Or this person may be
angry about something somebody else did, so feels he is justified in
cyberbullying that person now. He is “teaching the person a lesson.”
- The “Power Hungry.” This
person is trying to exert authority and/or trying to show he/she can control
others through fear. He does what he does because he doesn’t like the other
person and/or he really wants to hurt that person. This bully is no
different from the offline playground bully; what’s different his method.
This bully may brag about what he’s done to feel even more powerful and
intimidating. He wants a reaction from his victim and if he doesn’t get one,
he may escalate what he’s doing to get one.
- “Revenge of the Nerds.”
This is somebody who acts tough online, but he is not tough in real life. In
fact, he’s often picked on because he’s small, weak and/or simply not cool
or popular. However, this person has computer skills. He wants to frighten,
intimidate and/or embarrass his victim because this person may have
frightened, intimidated and/or embarrassed him. He feels empowered by the
anonymity of the Internet and the fact that he will never have to face his
victim in person. He targets his victim one-on-one and keeps his actions
secret. Because of his superior tech skills, he could be the most dangerous
kind of cyberbully.
- “Mean Girls.” Mean girls
usually bully in groups. They get together in the school library or at
someone’s house after school, and they bully for entertainment. They want
other people to know who they are and that they have power. Their actions
are fed by group admiration, cliques and by the silence of those who stand
by and let it happen. It quickly dies if they don’t get the entertainment
they are seeking.
- The “Inadvertent
Cyberbully.” This person isn’t lashing out intentionally; he/she simply
doesn’t think about the consequences of his/her actions and/or the effect it
might have on somebody else. This person may be trying to act tough online,
or he/she may be role playing, or he/s she may have felt hurt or angry by
something that was sent to them or something they’ve seen online, so they
respond in anger or frustration.
How can you prevent cyberbullying?
- Don’t pass along cyberbullying
messages you receive
- Tell your friends not to bully
others online
- Block communication with
cyberbullies
- Encourage your school to
develop rules against cyberbullying
- Talk about it! Organize a
discussion at school.
What should you do if you’re
being bullied online?
- Don’t respond. Any response may
fuel the fire.
- Try and identify the bully.
Even if he or she is using a fake name, help may be available through a
website moderator or your Internet Service provider
- Block communication with the
bully if you can.
- Consider saving the messages
and/or images as evidence
- Tell a friend, parent, teacher,
police officer or other adult you trust
Online Safety Tips:
- Don’t post your full name,
address, phone number, school name, parents names, social security number
online
- Don’t say anything online that
you wouldn’t say to someone’s face
- Don’t post anything online that
you wouldn’t want your grandma to see
- Don’t share your passwords with
anyone other than your parents
- Don’t meet someone face-to-face
if you only know them online
- Talk to your parents about what
you do online
Does your state have an anti-cyberbullying
law in place or pending? Click here to find out.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-06-cyber-bullying-list_N.htm
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