1

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 2

willful and repeated harm

inflicted through the

use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.1

An aggressive, intentional act carried

out by a group or individual, using

electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and

over time against a victim who cannot

easily defend him or herself.

1. Hinduja & Patchin 2010

2. Smith, Mahdavi, Carvalho et al 2008

Cyberbullying – Two phases• 1990’s “flaming” and “trolling”; AIM, rapid

internet adoption – Term “cyberbullying” first appears in print, 1998

• 2000’s – Web 2.0 and social media like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter– SMS becomes popular

– Rapid growth of mobile tech esp. smartphones

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 3

How Common is Cyberbullying? • National Crime Victim Survey (2010) – 6% cyberbullying victims

vs. 28% school bullying victims• Review of research to get an average:

– 24% of kids are cyberbullying victim

– 17% admit to being the bully

• 50% of both victims and bullies experience offline bullying • Offline bullies more than twice as likely to be both target and

perp of online bullying• Victims of offline bullying are 2.7 times more likely to be

cyberbullying victim

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 4

• Range 6% - 24% of youth have been cyberbullied

How Common is Cyberbullying? • National Crime Victim Survey (2010) – 6% cyberbullying victims

vs. 28% school bullying victims• Review of research to get an average:

– 24% of kids are cyberbullying victim

– 17% admit to being the bully

• 50% of both victims and bullies experience offline bullying • Offline bullies more than twice as likely to be both target and

perp of online bullying• Victims of offline bullying are 2.7 times more likely to be

cyberbullying victim

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 5

• 17% admit to bullying others online

Offline Bullying and Online Bullying Closely Connected • National Crime Victim Survey (2010) – 6% cyberbullying victims

vs. 28% school bullying victims• Review of research to get an average:

– 24% of kids are cyberbullying victim

– 17% admit to being the bully

• 50% of both victims and bullies experience offline bullying • Offline bullies more than twice as likely to be both target and

perp of online bullying• Victims of offline bullying are 2.7 times more likely to be

cyberbullying victim

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 6

• 50% of online targets and bullies are bullied in real world• Offline bullies are 2 times more likely to be involved in cyberbullying, either as target or bully

• Offline bullying victims are 2.7 times more likely to be cyberbullied

Being Both Target and Bully are Common• National Crime Victim Survey (2010) – 6% cyberbullying victims

vs. 28% school bullying victims• Review of research to get an average:

– 24% of kids are cyberbullying victim

– 17% admit to being the bully

• 50% of both victims and bullies experience offline bullying • Offline bullies more than twice as likely to be both target and

perp of online bullying• Victims of offline bullying are 2.7 times more likely to be

cyberbullying victim

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 7

In one study, • 30% involved in

cyberbullying as either bully or target• 26% of them were both bully AND target

Cyberbullying and Bullying Roles• Bully – can be popular, high status, others are not; may come from

families with conflict, life changes, little supervision, low self-esteem– Bullies hang out with other bullies

– If bullying seem as norm, more become bullies

• Target/Victim – may also be poorly adjusted to school• Bully/Victim – especially relational bullying (gossip, exclusion)

– Easily and negatively influenced by peers

– Hostility, aggression – may be more at risk than other groups

– Social anxiety issues

• Bystander (both active and inactive) – – 90% ignore cyberbullying in social networks

– Those who defend victim – high social status, positive social expectations, have more empathy

• Non-involvedCyberbullying by Marian Merritt 8

Vulnerable times and peak activities• Cyberbullying peaks between ages 11 and 15

– 9th grade is often the most active year

• Changes in school due to grade promotion– Moving from elementary to junior high; junior high to high school

– Kids “rearrange the pecking order”

• Changes due to a move to a new city or country– New kid has to establish who they are; find friends

• Other events– Someone “dates” the wrong person; or breaks up

– Jealousy due to accomplishments like sports, theater, grades

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 9

• Cyberbullying peaks ages 11 - 15•9th grade is often the most active year

• Changes in school:•Elementary to junior high; junior high to high school•Kids “rearrange the pecking order”

• Changes due to a move• Other events

•Someone “dates” the wrong person; or breaks up•Jealousy due to accomplishments like sports, theater, academics

Forms of cyberbullying• Mean messages in email, SMS, social

networks• Fake SNS profiles• Forwarded images or messages• Hacked SNS or email accounts• Pretending to be someone else in a

completely online romantic situation– “Catfishing”, Manti Te’o (at right)

– Megan Meier

• Cyberbullying can start as traditional bullying, then continue online and vice versa

• Often referred to as “drama”, not cyberbullying

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 10

YOU, YOUR FRIENDS AND

CYBERBULLYING.

Who is vulnerable to cyberbullying?

11

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt

• LGBTQ • Minorities, disabled, gifted,

even socio-economic differences

• Spending lots of time online and sharing personal info

• Simply being “different “ can make a child a target

Cyberbullying Can Lead to Depression, Suicide

– Note: suicide is a complex issue, rarely is cyberbullying the only cause

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 12

Ryan Halligan – 2003. Was tormented for being “gay” despite only being 13 years old.

Megan Meier – 2006. A neighbor (adult) created a fake profile of a cute boy to start an online friendship.

Tyler Clementi – 2010. His college roommate set up a spy cam to record his date with a man.

Amanda Todd – 2012. Someone tried to blackmail her with a partially nude photo she sent. Then the images went viral.

Latest Cyberbullying and Suicide Issue – Slut Shaming

• Steubenville Ohio - assaulted and video and images went viral, Twitter messages of sexual abuse of unconscious girl. Girl prevailed in court (didn’t self-harm)

• Nova Scotia, Canada – Rehtaeh Parsons, assaulted and images were shared; she was cyberbullied and committed suicide when police wouldn’t pursue the case.

• Los Gatos, California – Audrie Pott, assaulted and images were shared. She was cyberbullied and committed suicide. Police now taking on case.

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 13

Cyberbullying – Adult Bad Behavior

14

• University, workplace bullying and cyberbullying• Political insults instead of debate• Reporters hacking celebrity phones and voice mail

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt

What happens to bullies and victims?• Bullies:

– Suicidal thoughts (usually just ideation, no action)

– Involvement can lead to aggression in school (verbal and physical)

– Can become involved in criminal activity as adults

• Victims:– Lower self esteem

– Suicidal thoughts, especially for girls

– School problems

– Involvement can lead to aggression in school (verbal and physical)

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 15

Responding to Cyberbullying• Don’t teach “don’t tattle”

– Most commonly taught to boys, children of color, special ed students

– Adopt “authoritative parenting” style

• Not common for teens to report, but it is increasing– Unless violence is involved

– Schools must implement policy, provide safe reporting

– Perception of teacher support can increase reporting

– Students who report bullying are less likely to be bullied again

• Efforts to change school social norms show promise in reducing bullying

• Adults can be trained, parents need to consider bullying of concern

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 16

Responses• Promote kindness online• Limit your time online and don’t “overshare”• If you are attacked, don’t respond:

– Report it to the website, if against policy

– Save a copy in case the issue continues

– If threatened, contact law enforcement

• Feeling overwhelmed or attacked? – Avoid the website or environment

– Get offline, go outside, change scenery

17

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt

Help! I’ve Been Cyberbullied. What do I do?• Don’t respond – step away from computer, mobile phone, etc.

– Each incident in one environment can move to another environment, including face to face bullying

• Who can you report it to?– Does your school have a policy? A reporting hotline? A trusted teacher?

– Can you report abuse to the website or the service?

– Do your parents understand cyberbullying? Can you talk to them?

– Is there a non-profit you can call? A trained older teen mentor?

• Keep a copy of everything– If violence is threatened, contact police

• Seek counseling if you can

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 18

Preparing Children for Bystander Role• Teach children empathy

– put yourself in target/victim’s place

• Promote kindness online • Train school student leaders how to reply

– Reporting can come from those with social status and high moral compass

• If children witness online hate: – Show them how to reach out to the target, how to handle it

– Don’t engage with the bully or their parents

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 19

Other Actions• Whole school approach to educate and train to respond

– Create reporting system, emphasize intervention in student conflict

– Students need to feel connected, part of the school and to believe they will be treated fairly

– Offer respect and support to those who speak up

– Avoid the “one off” cyberbullying assembly approach, seek “SEL” or social – emotional learning programs to foster key skills

• Teach empathy• Parents should seek training from the school

– Provide counseling to children involved in bullying

• Emphasize the positive side of the internet

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 20

Resources• Research and Websites:

– Bullying in a Networked Era – cyberbullying research summary from Harvard– www.cyberbullying.us – website of researchers Hinduja and Patchin– www.Stopbullying.gov – White House website against all bullying– www.Bornthiswayfoundation.org – Lady Gaga’s initiative to empower youth

• Books: – Cyberslammed, Stephens and Nair– Cyberbullying; Bullying in the Digital Age, Kowalski, Limber and Agatson– Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats, Willard

• Training programs: – ADL’s Cyber Ally program– Steps to Respect– Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 21

Thank you!

Copyright © 2012 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec and the Symantec Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as advertising. All warranties relating to the information in this document, either express or implied, are disclaimed to the maximum extent allowed by law. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.

Marian MerrittNorton Internet Safety Advocatemarian@norton.com

Cyberbullying by Marian Merritt 22