What is bullying?

Behaviour by an individual or

group, repeated over time, that

intentionally hurts another individual

or group.

What is cyberbullying?

The use of phones or the

internet to deliberately

upset someone else.

Is there a difference?

Cyberbullying has a much bigger audience, no

closure and no escape from the

bully. Other people might not know the impact they have.

Who is a cyberbully?

• Someone who deliberately sends this hurtful information. Why do you think they do this?

• Someone who passes the message/image on to someone else. (An ‘accessory’) What is a ‘bystander to bullying’?

• Someone who sends the message thinking it is only a joke.

Examples of cyberbullying

•Threats

•Harassment repeatedly sending unwanted messages

•Sending nasty messages

•Impersonation

•Sending upsetting images

Direct cyberbulling

• Direct attack to the victim via email, IM, blog• Warning war – fake squealing on someone• Text war • Photoshopped pictures sent or posted as real pics• Using a stolen password to lock out the rightful

owner and then hijack the account for nasty purposes

• Create a poll or survey to vote on who is nice or ugly

• Ganging up against a player in a game

Direct cyberbulling

• Post pictures without permission and ask others to rate who is fat or ugly

• Ridiculing on web sites, blogs, IM• Pretend to be a friend, share secrets and

publicise the secrets• Arrange to socially ostracise or ignore

someone • Create and share insulting code names for

people (uf=ugly face)

Direct cyberbulling

• Tease• Taunt• Insult• Threaten the victim or a member of the

victim's family • Impersonate someone else• Spread rumours (true or not)• Post clips on YouTube without permission

Cyber-bullying by proxy

• The bully instigates others by creating indignation or strong emotion, and then lets others do their dirty work.

• The “forwarding” accomplice

Characteristics of Cyberbullying

1. Unequal power2. Hurtful actions3. Repetitive behaviours4. Bully can remain anonymous5. Bully can pretend to be another person6. Bullying can happen anywhere,anytime, given

that cyber-space is everywhere all of the time7. Bullying can take many forms within the

cyberspace environment8. Capacity for instant and limitless

dissemination of words and images– Kids Help Phone Cyber--bullying Study, April 2007

How common is cyberbullying?

• 90% of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online.

• 75% have visited a Web site bashing another student.

• 40% have had their password(s) stolen and changed by a bully.

• Only 15% of parents asked knew what cyberbullying was.

Source: wiredsafety.org

Vehicles for cyberbullying• Email

• IM – MSN• Social networking sites – Facebook• Web sites• Chat rooms• Virtual learning environments – school work

sites• Mobile phones• Camera phones• On line and interactive games• Blogs & Wikis• Bashing site – Rate My School • Internet polling – Doodle

Divagirl: Hey, loser, watch your back.tmt323: What r u talking about?Divagirl: Why don't you kill yourself while u r ahead?tmt323: Why can't you just leave me alone?Divagirl: Ugly girls like u need to be put in their place.

Example of cyberbullying on iChat (Apple’s instant messaging)

If you receive a nasty message…

• Save it. • Do not reply.• Block future messages.• Show it to your parents/carer or

teacher.

Cyberbullying can be reported through:

• Mobile phone companies, • Internet service providers and • Social networking sites –myspace

The Law• There are laws which may

apply in terms of: – harassment and – threatening and menacing

communications.• Your school could contact the

police if they feel a law has been broken

The Anti-Cyberbullying Code

• Always respect others.• Think before you send.• Block the Bully.• Don’t retaliate or reply.• Save the evidence.• Make sure you tell. • Treat your password like your toothbrush.

From DCSF guidance on Cyberbullying