Cyber Bullying 1. ONLINE

Bullying behaviour is no longer restricted to the school yard. . . . ONLINE Bullying behaviour is no longer restricted to the school yard. It is often online, out of sight and earshot of teachers and parents.

affect you even in your own home . . . ONLINE Your home should be a safe place where you can be away from bullying and harassment . . . . . . but Cyber Bullying can affect you even in your own home

. . . ONLINE Cyber Bullying is... Being cruel . . . . by sending or posting harmful material to others using the Internet Cyber Bullying online uses computers, laptops, smart phones and the Internet to cause hurt or embarrassment to another person

someone has made mean or hurtful comments about them online . . . More than 10% of pupils state that someone has made mean or hurtful comments about them online . . .

How Are Pupils Cyberbullied? . . . ONLINE How Are Pupils Cyberbullied? People who Cyber Bully: Pretend they are other people online to trick people Spread lies and rumors about people Post pictures of victims without their consent Trick people into revealing personal information

Cyber Bulling can occur using “social media” like the following: . . . ONLINE Cyber Bulling can occur using “social media” like the following: E-mail Mobile/smart phones Text messages Instant messaging / MSN Social networking sites Chat rooms

Types of Cyber Bullying . . . ONLINE Types of Cyber Bullying “Flaming”: Online fights using electronic messages with angry and vulgar language “Harassment”: Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages “Cyber Stalking”: Repeatedly sending messages or using other online activities that include threats of harm or that make people afraid for their own safety “Denigration”: ‘Dissing’ someone online. Sending or posting cruel gossip or rumors about a person to damage his or her reputation or friendships

Types of Cyber Bullying . . . ONLINE Types of Cyber Bullying “Impersonation”: Pretending to be someone else and sending or posting material online that makes someone look bad, gets her/him in trouble or danger, or damages her/his reputation or friendships “Outing and Trickery”: Tricking someone into revealing secret or embarrassing information which is then shared online “Exclusion”: Intentionally excluding someone from an on-line group, like a ‘buddy list’

DIFFERENCES . . . ONLINE TRADITIONAL BULLYING IS FACE TO FACE Occurs on school property Teachers may become involved Identity of bullying pupil is obvious Rumours spread more slowly and not as far Statements/Pictures can be withdrawn, limiting the hurt CYBER BULLYING IS ANONYMOUS Can occur off school property Teachers may not become involved Identity of bullying pupil concealed Rumours spread wider faster Messages/Pictures cannot be withdrawn so the hurt continues

But we were just slagging! We didn't mean it! . . . ONLINE But we were just slagging! We didn't mean it! Slagging is … When the pupil targeted is in on the joke When pupil targeted also laughs When it ends quickly When all are on the same level When no one is picked on because they are different When there is no fear or threat Any pain or hurt is an accident Cyber Bullying is … Unwanted Persistent Often a power imbalance like two against one Where the victim is made feel left out Involves a threat Deliberate Used to upset people

How Can This Happen? People who Cyber Bully: Think it’s “funny” . . . ONLINE How Can This Happen? People who Cyber Bully: Think it’s “funny” Don’t think it’s a big deal Are encouraged by friends Don’t think about consequences Wrongly think they won’t or can’t get caught

. . . ONLINE One of the most threatening aspects of being the target of Cyber Bullying is that . . . ? ? ? ? ? ? . . . You can’t see the bullying person and you often don’t even know who it is . . . . . . but research shows it is nearly always someone who is bullying you in school already. ? ?

Something everyone who uses social media should know: . . . ONLINE Something everyone who uses social media should know: The Department of Education has decided: “ . . . Placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour.” This makes sense because every minute you choose to leave the message, image or statement in place is like repeating the original act again and again.

If It’s Happening To You, What Can You Do? . . . ONLINE If It’s Happening To You, What Can You Do? A victim of Cyber Bullying should: Never reply to online bullying or harassment Put yourself in control - store and print out messages and keep them as evidence, noting exact time and date if possible Block communication with the Cyber Bullying person: (a) by email, by adding her/him to your“blocked list” and (b) on social networking sites (e.g. Facebook or Twitter) by (i) reporting the bullying to the site administrators and (ii) changing your privacy settings to exclude her/him If Cyber Bullying continues, report the problem to parents/teachers and depending on severity, the Gardaí.

What Can You Do? A victim of Cyber Bullying can also: . . . ONLINE What Can You Do? A victim of Cyber Bullying can also: Talk to your friends about what is happening Refuse to pass along Cyber Bullying messages Ask your friends to help stop Cyber Bullying

. . . ONLINE What do you think??? What type of people do you think use technology to bully others? Why do you think they do this? What can be done to protect against Cyber Bullying? Discuss this with a partner then discuss as a class Have you heard or seen cases of What should you do if you know of someone being Cyber Bullied

Useful rules to live by: . . . ONLINE Useful rules to live by: If you wouldn’t say it in person . . . don’t say it online Before you write it remember . . . everything that is written online is traceable - even if you delete it If it is nasty, if it is mean . . . don’t write it, don’t forward it . . . don’t let it be seen Received from, and adapted with kind permission of Caroline O’Doherty, Loreto, Beaufort