What it is and what to do about it… Cyberbullying

Check Your Knowledge: Thumbs up for TRUE, Thumbs down for FALSE: T or F: Cyberbullying happens more to boys than girls. T or F: Cyberbullying is a crime. T or F: Cyberbullying is not reported as often as physical bullying. T or F: Cyberbullying is only about bullying on Facebook, Instragram, etc… texting doesn’t count because it’s private. T or F: Snapchat deletes what I send so no one will know if I’ve been mean. T or F: It’s not a big deal if I say something hurtful as long as I’m only joking. T or F: It’s safe to give out personal information online. T or F: I should let my parents know when I’m online and what I’m doing to protect myself.

What is “Cyberbullying”? Bullying that takes place electronically: by cell phone, computer, or tablet and over the Internet or by text.

Cyberbullying is a CRIME in Arkansas! Bullying someone electronically is a misdemeanor in Arkansas and punishable by a $1000 fine or up to one year in juvenile detention/jail. Threatening someone’s life electronically is a FELONY in Arkansas.

According to Arkansas Law, you cannot send anything electronically that is insulting to anyone’s… Race Gender Academic status Economic status Disability Religion Ancestry Physical appearance Health condition Sexual orientation

Some Statistics: In a recent poll, 75% of students surveyed report reading something “hateful” about another student online Only 20% of those that have seen bullying online report it 89% of cyberbullying victims are female 11% of cyberbullying victims are male Of the bullies, 59% are female and 41% are male Only a few states have gone as far to make cyberbullying a crime. Arkansas is one of those those states! 100% of cyberbullying is WRONG. Source: http://www.internetsafety101.org/cyberbullyingstatistics.htm

What does cyberbullying look like? Posting rumors or hurtful talk online or by text “Hacking” another student’s account or pretending to be someone else online to give false information Posting unflattering or “suggestive” photos online or sending them by text

What if I see cyberbullying happening or know about it? TELL AN ADULT! Don’t delete anything. Show it to an adult first. Know that it’s not your fault. Know that NOBODY is anonymous online.

Effects of Cyberbullying: Being bullied in person and being bullied online can be equally hurtful. Bullying can cause: Missed school Low grades Low self-esteem Health problems

What if I am a cyberbully? Here is a few things you might not have thought about… NOBODY is anonymous online. If the police want to find you, they can. Anything you post online or send via text exists FOREVER. Even if you delete it, it can be retrieved. Snapchat may disappear from your phone, but it does still exist. Snapchat is an online database. If you think that’s a safe way to bully someone, you are WRONG. Cyberbullying (or bullying in person) can cause you have a criminal record. Much like the Internet, criminal records are FOREVER.

How to protect yourself: NEVER give anyone your password. NEVER give out personal information online. Have an open line of communication about what you do online with at least one trusted adult. If you wouldn’t say it in front of a teacher or your mother, don’t post it online. Even jokes can be “bullying” if they are taken out of context.

If you fall victim to a bully: It’s not your fault. Seek counsel from a trusted adult. Don’t allow bullying to define who you are as a person. You cannot control other’s actions, but you can control how you feel about yourself. Know that you are not alone.

A Test: In the next couple slides, read each scenario and decide if it is cyberbullying…

Posting racial slurs on the Facebook wall of a minority student. Creating a closed Facebook group dedicated to making fun of certain classmates. Texting a rumor you heard about another student. Writing a blog about the best/worst dressed at your school. Tweeting insults under a false screen name. Forwarding a text message that was supposed to be confidential.