Internet Safety and Cyberbullying

Mrs. HarrisMrs. Worcester

Video clip!

• http://www.nsteens.org/videos/social-networking/

Social networking sites - safety• Use the maximum privacy settings– Profile and photo share only with

people on your friends list

• Only add friends that you know in real life – make sure they are who they say they are

• Never meet in person with anyone you have first met online

(“Post to be private” sidebar)

© 2009 Myspace.com

© 2009 Facebook

Social networking sites - safety

• Alter your pictures before you post them to remove identifying information

© 2003 Anniston Star

Social networking sites - safety• Don't post your plans or

whereabouts on your site • Think about the possible

consequences of the information and photos you post

• Never post sexually provocative photos

(“Post to be private” sidebar)

© 2009 Myspace.com

© 2009 Facebook

Social Networking

• Let’s give it a try!

Cyberbullying – the stats

• According a to 2008 study, 40% of teens said they had been targets of cyberbullying (Dixon par.3)

• 27% of teenagers are cyberbullies (“One in Four” par.1)

• However, only 5% people who are cyberbullied tell their parents (“Internet security” par.1)

Cyberbully

VictimVictim

Someone signs on with someone else’s screen name to gather info

• I have done this• I have had this done to me• I know someone that has done this or has had

it done to them

One person sends an email pretending to be someone else

• I have done this• I have had this done to

me• I know someone that

has done this or has had it done to them

Impersonated someone online (IM, text, etc)?

• I have done this• I have had this done to

me• I know someone that

has done this or has had it done to them

© 2009 HCUFCU

Pictures or information about someone is posted without their consent

• I have done this• I have had this done to me• I know someone that has done this or has had

it done to them

An internet poll is created about someone without their consent

• I have done this• I have had this done to

me• I know someone that

has done this or has had it done to them

Hot or Not?

Posted rude or mean things about someone else on your site

• Example: • I have done this• I have had this done to

me• I know someone that

has done this or has had it done to them

Forwarded a private IM conversation or e-mail without the permission of the other

person

• I have done this• I have had this done to me• I know someone that has done this or has had

it done to them

Something is posted with the intention to embarrass someone else

• I have done this• I have had this done to me• I know someone that has done this or has had

it done to them

Examples of cyberbullying:

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others

• Spread lies and rumors about victims • Trick people into revealing personal

information • Send or forward mean text messages • Post pictures of victims without their consent

(“Cyberbullying” par.4)

Megan Meier

© 2007 Tina Meier

•13-year-old Megan committed suicide in 2006 after she was the victim of an Myspace.com cyberbullying hoax

•Former friend created “Josh Evans,” a fake profile that befriended and romanced Megan online

•Eventually “Josh” broke up with Megan, and amoung other negative comments, told her “the world would be a better place without her”

("Internet Security “ par.1)

Tips on how to stop cyberbullying• Don't respond. If someone bullies you, remember that your reaction is usually exactly what the bully wants. It gives him or

her power over you. Who wants to empower a bully?

Don't retaliate. Getting back at the bully turns you into one and reinforces the bully's behavior. Help avoid a whole cycle of aggression.

Talk to a trusted adult. You deserve backup. It's always good to involve a parent but - if you can't - a school counselor usually knows how to help. Sometimes both are needed. If you're really nervous about saying something, see if there's a way to report the incident anonymously at school. Sometimes this can result in bullies getting the help they need to change their behavior.

Save the evidence. The only good news about digital bullying is that the harassing messages can usually be captured, saved, and shown to someone who can help. Save evidence even if it's minor stuff - in case things escalate.

• Block the bully. If the harassment's coming in the form of instant messages, texts, or profile comments, do yourself a favor: Use preferences or privacy tools to block the person. If it's in chat, leave the "room."

Be civil. You're doing yourself a favor. Even if you don't like a person, it's a good idea to be decent and not sink to his or her level. Research shows that gossiping about and "trash talking" others increase your risk of being bullied.

Don't be a bully. You know the old saying about walking a mile in someone's shoes; even a few seconds of thinking about how another person might feel can put a big damper on aggression. That's needed in this world.

• Be a friend, not a bystander. Forwarding mean messages or just standing by and doing nothing empowers bullies and hurts victims even more. If you can, tell bullies to stop. If you can't stop the bully, at least try to help the victim and report the behavior.

("ConnectSafely” par.1-8)

Works Cited• "ConnectSafely - Tips to Help Stop Cyberbullying." ConnectSafely - Home. 20 Apr. 2009

<http://www.connectsafely.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1390&Itemid=11>.

• Dixon, Bruce K. "Cyberbullying appears common, psychologically damaging.(Behavioral Pediatrics)(Report)." Pediatric News 42.6 (June 2008): 16(1). General OneFile. Gale. VIERA HIGH SCHOOL. 20 Apr. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

• "Internet Security Attorney Parry Aftab And The Mother Of A Teen Who Committed Suicide Over An Internet Hoax, Tina Meier, Discuss The Case Against The Cyberbully.(Video file)." Today Show (Video) (May 16, 2008): NA. General OneFile. Gale. VIERA HIGH SCHOOL. 20 Apr. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

• "One in Four Teens Admit to Cyberbullying." US Newswire (Sept 11, 2007): NA. General OneFile. Gale. VIERA HIGH SCHOOL. 20 Apr. 2009 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

• "Post to be private." NS Teens - Making Safer Online Choices. 2007. 20 Apr. 2009 <http://www.nsteens.org/videos/social-networking/>.

• "STOP cyberbullying: Are you a cyberbully?" STOP cyberbullying: Cyberbullying - what it is, how it works and how to understand and deal with cyberbullies. 20 Apr. 2009 <http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/teens/are_you_a_cyberbully.html>.