Cyber-bullying By Stephanie Jackson

What is Cyber-bullying? Cyber bullying or online bullying is a is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen through means of , instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games, and websites.

Why do kids Cyber-bully each other? They are often motivated by: anger revenge frustration entertainment boredom ego sense of power social standing

Signs of Cyber-bullying If a child is being harassed or bullied online, he or she may: Avoid discussion about what they are doing on the computer, or other electronic device Look or appear nervous, anxious or jumpy when receiving an , IM or text message Display unusual anger, sadness, and depression after using the computer or electronic device Discuss revenge Exit or click out of whatever they are doing, if a person walks by Unexpectedly quits using the computer or electronic device Be having trouble sleeping or have other sleeping disturbances Show a decline in school homework or grades

Signs of Cyber-bullying continued: Exhibit low self-esteem Have an unusual interest in self-harm or in suicide Exhibit unusual mood swings Not feel well, headaches, upset stomach Become reclusive, anti-social and/or is losing friends Be unusually withdrawn or depressed Not want to be involved in family or school activities Be reluctant to use the computer or electronic device

Signs a child may be a bully He or she may use numerous online accounts or accounts that are not theirs. When using the computer or electronic device, he or she excessively laughs. May avoid discussion or conversations regarding online activities. May close or click out whatever he or she is doing when a person walks by. May frequently use the computer, especially at night. May become upset if computer access or other electronic device is denied.

Preventing Cyber-bullying Never post or share your personal information online (this includes your full name, address, telephone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card number, or Social Security number) or your friends’ personal information. Never share your Internet passwords with anyone, except your parents. Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online. Talk to your parents about what you do online.

More tips on preventing Cyber-bullying Refuse to pass along cyber-bullying messages Tell friends to stop cyber-bullying Block communication with cyber-bullies Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult Speaking with other students, as well as teachers and school administrators, to develop rules against cyber-bullying Raising awareness of the cyber-bullying problem in your community by holding an assembly and creating fliers to give to younger kids or parents

Protecting your child Keep Current with technology. You don't have to be an expert, but a little understanding goes a long way towards keeping your child safe online. Get basic technical training and learn about new products as they're released. Keep Communicating with your children about everything they experience on the Internet. Know their lingo, and ask when you don't understand something. Work to keep communication lines open. Keep Checking your children's Internet activity. Know where they go online. Let them know that you'll keep checking because you want them to understand that the Internet is a public forum and never truly private. Set limits for Internet use Install filtering and blocking software

Males Vs. Females Research illustrates that girls also experience peer victimization, usually relational aggression, in which a person is harmed through hurtful manipulation of their peer relationships or friendships. Examples of relational aggression include retaliating against a peer by purposefully excluding her from one's social group or badmouthing her to her peers. Girls who are relationally victimized are rejected by their peers, feel lonely, experience social anxiety, are socially distressed, and are significantly more submissive than their peers. Boys are more overtly victimized (overt aggression harms others through physical damage or the threat of such damage).

Solving the problem Educating the kids about the consequences (losing their ISP or IM accounts) helps. Teaching them to respect others and to take a stand against bullying of all kinds helps too. Take time to calm down before responding to something. Speak out and tell a trusted adult. Block or limit all communication to those on your buddy list.

Support group Show your support for the children in your community. Faux Paw the Techno CatSM School Program The Internet Keep Safe CoalitionSM group is working to put Faux Paw the Techno CatSM in every school. iKeepSafe works with already respected national and local points of contact to support Internet safety and security efforts in local communities. iKeepSafe provides them with materials that can be used by their organizations. If you are interested in creating or supporting an existing local initiative contact us at Visit website at

Internet Safety Websites

Resources Cyberbullying.org (n.d). Retrieved November 1, 2008, from American Psychological Association. (1998, March 26). Boys and girls are cruel to each other in different ways—but the effects are equally harmful. Science Daily. Retrieved November 1, 2008, from Andrews,J. (2007,November 1). Five steps to combat bullying. Educators’ eZine. Retrieved November 1, 2008 from Ikeepsafe.org (2006). You don't have to be a computer expert to keep your child safe online. Retrieved November 1, 2008, from Western, M. (2008). The best of the best websites that enhance instruction and enrich student learning. Institute for Educational Development. Retrieved October 28, 2008.