Pics, Flicks, and Sexting Cyberbullying: The Use and Abuse of Pics, Flicks, and Sexting

Cyberbullying: What is it? Using the Internet, cell phones, video game systems or other technology to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person Willful repeated harm inflicted through electronic devices

Cyberbullying: What is it? “Sexting” using cell phones or computers to share racy photos and videos Most victims initiate the act by taking the photos/videos of themselves and sending them to boyfriends/girlfriends After pressing “SEND”, there is no control over where those racy photos end up

Cyberbullying: How is it done? 97% of American teens have daily access to one or all of the following: High speed Internet Cell phones Instant messaging Blogs Online videos Personal profiles on social networking sites

Cyberbullying: How is it done? National Crime Prevention Council (March 2008): Bullies pretend they are other people online to trick others into revealing personal information Spread lies or rumors about victims Send or forward mean text messages Post pictures of victims without their consent Creating websites or fake online profiles to make fun of another person

How does this differ from traditional bullying? Cyberbullying: How does this differ from traditional bullying? Can occur any time of day or night No “safe haven”; victimized anywhere Messages & images can be distributed quickly to very wide audience Offender can be anonymous when cyber bullying; difficult to trace them

How does this differ from traditional bullying? Cyberbullying: How does this differ from traditional bullying? Victim’s embarrassment (sexting) More harsh than face-to-face bullying Offenders will say things online that would not say in person Embarrassing or private information posted online can reach a widespread audience instantly

Cyberbullying: Consequences Victim humiliated, feels helpless Avoids friends and activities Seeks revenge on the bully Victims become cyber bullies themselves Suicide

Cyberbullying: Who is most affected? 33% males & 36% females report being cyber bullying victims Statistically no significant difference between sub-groups Male vs. Female Whites vs. Non-whites Middle school students (ages 11-13 yrs) make up largest combined group as both victims and perpetrators Females ages 15-16 yrs largest single group of victims

Cyberbullying: Why? Perpetrators think its no big deal Don’t think about consequences Encouraged by friends to target “losers” Think everybody cyber bullies Think they won’t get caught

Cyberbullying: Prevention “High tech” problem has “low tech” solutions Talk to kids about cyber bullying Ask kids to let you know if an online message or image makes them feel threatened or hurt Monitor your kid’s online profile and protect it If it was created or altered w/o permission, contact the company that runs the site remove it

Cyberbullying: Prevention Don’t react; bullies are looking for a response from the target Block or delete the bully Save the evidence Share with school officials and law enforcement Encourage kids not to engage or forward anything that is hurtful to others Bullying stops quickly when peers intervene on behalf of victim Be a role model Kids learn from adults’ gossiping habits and unkind behavior