1. PROTECT YOURSELF Cyberbullying

2. Why do you think people cyberbully? How does your school deal with cyberbullying? Have you ever sent a mean message because you were upset?

3. What would you do if someone created a mean, fake profile for you or one of your friends? How can you stop yourself from being cyberbullied? Who would you talk to if it happened to you?

4. Cyberbullying Statistics 2014 25% of teens report having experienced repeated bullying via their cell phone or Internet 52% report being cyberbullied 11% report that embarrassing or damaging photographs were taken without their knowledge or consent Of the young people who reported cyberbullying incidents against them, 33% reported that their bullies issued online threats

5. Statistics 10% of middle school and high school students have been on the receiving end of ‘hate terms’ hurled against them 55% of teens who use social media have witnessed bullying via that medium 95% of teens who witnessed bullying on social media report that others, like them, have ignored the behavior More than half of young people surveyed say they never confide in their parents when cyberbullying happens to them Only 1 out of every 6 parents are aware of the scope and intensity involved with cyberbullying

6. Statistics More than 80% of teens regularly use cell phones, making it a common medium for cyberbullying About half of young people have experienced some form of cyberbullying  Between 10% and 20% experience cyberbullying regularly Most common types of cyberbullying tactics  Mean, hurtful comments  Spreading rumors Girls are as likely as boys to either be cyberbullies or to be targeted as cyberbullying victims Boys are more likely to be threatened by cyberbullies than girls. Victims of cyberbullying are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and to consider suicide as a result

7. Effects Anyone who is bullied experiences anxiety, fear, depression and low self-esteem Feel overwhelmed  Especially if a lot of kids are participating in the bullying  Sometimes the stress of dealing with cyberbullying can cause kids to feel like the situation is more than they can handle Feel vulnerable and powerless  Find it difficult to feel safe because the bullying invades their home through a computer or cell phone any time of day  Feels like the bullying is everywhere  Bullies can remain anonymous, which heightens feelings of fear because the victim has no idea who is doing it

8. Effects Feel exposed and humiliated  Bullying often feels permanent because it’s online  Once something is out there, it will always be out there  Nasty messages or texts can be shared with numerous people Victims feel dissatisfied with who they are  Cyberbullying often attacks victims where they are most vulnerable  Victims begin to doubt their worth  May respond to these feelings by harming themselves in some way Feel angry and vengeful  Sometimes victims get angry about what is happening to them  Try to take revenge on the bully or bullies and retaliate

9. Effects May lose interest in life when cyberbullying is ongoing  Feel life is hopeless and meaningless  Lose interest in things they once enjoyed  Spend less time interacting with family and friends  In some cases depression can set in Feel alone and isolated  When cyberbullying occurs, most people recommend shutting off the computer or turning off the cell phone  For teens this cuts off communication with their world

10. Effects Lose interest in school  Often skip school to avoid facing the kids bullying them  Are embarrassed and humiliated by the messages that were shared  Grades begin to suffer because it is difficult to concentrate or study due to anxiety and stress that the bullying causes Feel ill  Often experience headaches, stomachaches or other physical ailments  Stress-related conditions like stomach ulcers and skin conditions  Changes in eating habits like skipping meals or binge eating  Sleep patterns may be impacted, suffering from insomnia, sleep more than usual or experience nightmares Feel suicidal  Begin to feel hopeless  Feel like the only way to escape the pain is through suicide

11. What Should You Do? Report incidents of cyberbullying to an adult  Victim will not be punished  Victim is not at fault for these attacks against them Save cyberbullying messages as proof that the cyberbullying is occurring  Important if the incidents are eventually reported to the police, to parents or school officials or to the bully’s cellular provider  Take screenshots of comments and images  Note of the date and time when the harassment occurs

12. What Should You Do? If cyberbullying attacks happen by cell phone, victim change cell phone number and/or email addresses  Share the new number with trustworthy people  Check out phone features that may allow the number to be blocked  Contact cell phone provider to block the bully from contact

13. What Should You Do? Do not to respond to rude e-mails, messages, and comments In many instances the bully impersonates someone else  Do not to send information or photos via text or instant messaging you wouldn’t want shared publicly Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or cell phone provider  Ask the website administrator or ISP to remove any Web page

14. What Should You Do? Get your school involved  Learn the school’s policy on cyberbullying  Administrators take action against all forms of bullying Make a report to www.cybertipline.comwww.cybertipline.com  If you feel something illegal has occurred, inform law enforcement

15. Sources http://bullying.about.com/od/Cyberbullying/a/Wha t-Are-The-Effects-Of-Cyberbullying.htm http://nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-statistics- 2014/