Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.
Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
Be Aware of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying, or electronic bullying, continues to be an increasing problem. Especially in many modernized countries, such as the United States, where technology is rapidly becoming an integral part of our society today, more and more people are possessing phones and computers. Kids are exposed to and acquire technology at earlier and earlier ages. With so many more people online, there is, undoubtedly, a dramatic rise in cyberbullying incidents throughout the US, and even around the world. Cyberbullying is actually more common than many teens think. Many teens do not realize that many of their peers around them are experiencing cyberbullying.
Educate Yourself About Cyberbullying
It is important, and in some cases required, that schools educates their students and staff on a regular basis regarding the nature, and consequences of, and prohibitions and penalties associated with, all forms of cyberbullying, and bullying, so that constant and updated awareness of the problem is promoted. Education should occur through the attendance of training workshops and seminars, as well as formalized continuing education initiatives for all members of the school community.
Be An Active Bystander:
Bystanders play a key role in stopping and preventing cyberbullying. Cyberbullies depend on bystanders to support them or do nothing to stop them. The real leaders are those who choose to take an active role when they witness bullying and decide not go along with the crowd.
If you witness cyberbullying, do not join in, nor stand by idly.
Document if you see cyberbullying online, and when
Don’t encourage the behavior, it is easy to fall under the peer pressure, but stand up for yourself!
Don’t forward hurtful messages
Don’t laugh at inappropriate jokes
Tell an adult they trust
Do not support cyberbullies, stand up for what is right and report cyberbullying cases to reliable sources – “report center”.
Educate yourself on effective preventative measures you can take
Do Not Spend So Much Time At The Computer:
Try to limit your computer time to a suitable and reasonable amount. It is important not to lose a sense of reality, especially if you have feelings of pent up emotion or anger, you should not vent your emotions out online. Assign some much needed periods of time to go for a walk, enjoy the weather, or hang out with friends.
What to do if you are a cyberbullying victim:
Many teens who are cyberbullied online are often overwhelmed by the emotional pain due to either the continuity, or intensity of the harassment. Therefore, responding to the cyberbully’s attacks in a productive manner often seems extraordinarily difficult. The anticipatory anxiety often prevents a teenager from reporting the bully. Since the distress seems unbearable, the victim cannot muster up the strength to confide in a trusted adult. Of course, there is always a fear that a victim may be labeled a “tattletale” or a “snitch.” However, if the victim attempts to cope with the bullying without external assistance, the intensity and frequency of the bullying online may increases, which usually exacerbates the pre-existing situation. Victimized adolescents first must realize that they are not to blame for the way they have been treated. NO ONE deserves to be harassed in any environment, whether it is on the Internet or in the real world. Effective strategies can be implemented to help fend off cyberbullies.
Protect Yourself:
It is imperative that cyberbullying victims take swift action if the cyberbullying incidents continue or escalate in gravity. Teenagers must learn to exercise due diligence in reducing their vulnerability to online aggression.
Block the cyberbully on social networking sites, emails, electronic devices, and so on. The less contact you have with the cyberbully, the less damage he or she can do. Do not leave the bully un-blocked just so that you can get another response later or to inflict some source of payback on the cyberbully. This is only inviting the cyberbully to continue, and you do not have to stoop down to their level! Block the individual from having communications with you as best as you can.
Change your emails, screen names, or other usernames that the cyberbully is contacting you via. Take care in giving them out to family and friends whom you know you can trust, so that you will not need to worry about receiving additional antagonizing messages from those who are cyberbullying you.
Keep your social networking profiles on private: make sure not to add anyone you do not know or do not trust to your profile
Get Help:
It is strongly encouraged that cyberbullying victims seek assistance from a trusted individual or organization. Adolescence is a difficult journey on hazardous terrain, and no one should have to travel alone. Technology has only increased the number of pitfalls and obstacles that teens have to face, and teens need guidance to assist them and pick them up when online harassment takes its toll.
Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
Cyberbullying, or electronic bullying, continues to be an increasing problem. Especially in many modernized countries, such as the United States, where technology is rapidly becoming an integral part of our society today, more and more people are possessing phones and computers. Kids are exposed to and acquire technology at earlier and earlier ages. With so many more people online, there is, undoubtedly, a dramatic rise in cyberbullying incidents throughout the US, and even around the world. Cyberbullying is actually more common than many teens think. Many teens do not realize that many of their peers around them are experiencing cyberbullying.
Educate Yourself About Cyberbullying
It is important, and in some cases required, that schools educates their students and staff on a regular basis regarding the nature, and consequences of, and prohibitions and penalties associated with, all forms of cyberbullying, and bullying, so that constant and updated awareness of the problem is promoted. Education should occur through the attendance of training workshops and seminars, as well as formalized continuing education initiatives for all members of the school community.
Be An Active Bystander:
Bystanders play a key role in stopping and preventing cyberbullying. Cyberbullies depend on bystanders to support them or do nothing to stop them. The real leaders are those who choose to take an active role when they witness bullying and decide not go along with the crowd.
If you witness cyberbullying, do not join in, nor stand by idly.
Document if you see cyberbullying online, and when
Don’t encourage the behavior, it is easy to fall under the peer pressure, but stand up for yourself!
Don’t forward hurtful messages
Don’t laugh at inappropriate jokes
Tell an adult they trust
Do not support cyberbullies, stand up for what is right and report cyberbullying cases to reliable sources – “report center”.
Educate yourself on effective preventative measures you can take
Do Not Spend So Much Time At The Computer:
Try to limit your computer time to a suitable and reasonable amount. It is important not to lose a sense of reality, especially if you have feelings of pent up emotion or anger, you should not vent your emotions out online. Assign some much needed periods of time to go for a walk, enjoy the weather, or hang out with friends.
What to do if you are a cyberbullying victim:
Many teens who are cyberbullied online are often overwhelmed by the emotional pain due to either the continuity, or intensity of the harassment. Therefore, responding to the cyberbully’s attacks in a productive manner often seems extraordinarily difficult. The anticipatory anxiety often prevents a teenager from reporting the bully. Since the distress seems unbearable, the victim cannot muster up the strength to confide in a trusted adult. Of course, there is always a fear that a victim may be labeled a “tattletale” or a “snitch.” However, if the victim attempts to cope with the bullying without external assistance, the intensity and frequency of the bullying online may increases, which usually exacerbates the pre-existing situation. Victimized adolescents first must realize that they are not to blame for the way they have been treated. NO ONE deserves to be harassed in any environment, whether it is on the Internet or in the real world. Effective strategies can be implemented to help fend off cyberbullies.
Protect Yourself:
It is imperative that cyberbullying victims take swift action if the cyberbullying incidents continue or escalate in gravity. Teenagers must learn to exercise due diligence in reducing their vulnerability to online aggression.
Block the cyberbully on social networking sites, emails, electronic devices, and so on. The less contact you have with the cyberbully, the less damage he or she can do. Do not leave the bully un-blocked just so that you can get another response later or to inflict some source of payback on the cyberbully. This is only inviting the cyberbully to continue, and you do not have to stoop down to their level! Block the individual from having communications with you as best as you can.
Change your emails, screen names, or other usernames that the cyberbully is contacting you via. Take care in giving them out to family and friends whom you know you can trust, so that you will not need to worry about receiving additional antagonizing messages from those who are cyberbullying you.
Keep your social networking profiles on private: make sure not to add anyone you do not know or do not trust to your profile
It is strongly encouraged that cyberbullying victims seek assistance from a trusted individual or organization. Adolescence is a difficult journey on hazardous terrain, and no one should have to travel alone. Technology has only increased the number of pitfalls and obstacles that teens have to face, and teens need guidance to assist them and pick them up when online harassment takes its toll.
