Ciberbullying

• Cyberbullying is any harassment that occurs via the Internet. Vicious forum posts, name calling in chat

rooms, posting fake profiles on web sites, and mean or

cruel email messages are all ways of cyberbullying.

What is it?

Why Do People Cyberbully?

• Bullying has been around forever but cyberbullying is different because it lets a bully remain anonymous. It is easier to bully in cyberspace than it is to bully face

to face. With cyberbullying a bully can pick on people with much less risk of being caught. Bullies are natural instigators and in cyberspace bullies can enlist the

participation of other students who may be unwilling to bully in the real world. Kids who stand around doing nothing in a real life bullying incident often become

active participants in online harassment.

• The detachment afforded by cyberspace makes bullies out of people who would never become involved in a real life incident. The Internet makes bullying more convenient and since the victim’s reaction remains unseen people who wouldn’t

normally bully don’t take it as seriously.

• There are many things that can be done to combat cyberbullying. The most

important thing a victim of cyberbullying can do is not respond to the bully. Do not play in to the bully's games. Do not answer emails, do not

respond to posts, do not engage in a chat room exchange, and do not copy what the bully is doing. Ignore the bullying

and get help from parents and teachers.

While ignoring the bully be sure to save the evidence so that school officials, Internet providers and even the police can properly deal with the bully. Cyberbullying may give

bullies anonymity but it always leaves evidence.

What Can Be Done About Cyberbullying?

• Schools take all types of bullying seriously. As soon as the cyberbullying starts go to school officials for help. Cyberbullying is often an extension or escalation of bullying that is already happening at school. Parents should also be told what is happening. The police are unlikely to become involved if the bullying is limited to a few isolated incidents or a couple of mean emails or instant messages. However, if you get even one communication that includes a threat of bodily harm or a death threat the police should be alerted. Be aware that urging suicide is considered a death threat and the police will treat it accordingly.

Can Cyberbullying Be Stopped?

• A student is bombarded by anonymous threatening and taunting emails at home, even though there is no direct harassment at school. The victim has no idea who is sending the messages and starts to feel like everybody is against them. That student is being cyberbullied.

Example of Cyberbullying

Personal Trials

• We believe that cyberbullying is a problem that grows more and more common. It is a means, I think, for those children who do not feel good about themselves and think for

some reason to feel superior abusing other children.We think this problem has no absolute solution, but nevertheless can be controlled; • All this depends of the authorities of the institution, as parents themselves.