Cyberbullying

• Cyberbullying
• Foundation Degree

Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying (online bullying) is using the internet, email, online games or any digital technology to threaten, tease, upset or humiliate someone else.

Why? Sometimes people choose to embarrass, upset, pick on or intimidate other people using the internet or a mobile phone because it feels safer this way. Sending a nasty message or text can be done quickly and it means the person doing the bullying can’t see how much it hurts the other person. 

They might feel more distant from what they're doing.

Examples of Cyberbullying

How does
Cyberbullying occur?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through electronic technologies, such as:

1. Mobile or Smart Phones – eg. calls, texts etc.
   
2. Smart Phone Apps – eg. Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc.
   
3. Social Network Websites – eg. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
   
4. Gaming Consoles – eg. Xbox Live, Playstation, etc

1. Posting hurtful, embarrassing or threatening material on social networking websites.
2. Sending nasty text messages or leaving rude voicemails on a mobile phone.
3. Excluding someone from an online game.
4. Sharing, or threatening to share, embarrassing or inappropriate photos of videos to humiliate someone.
5. Setting up fake profiles on a social network to make fun of others.
6. Two thirds of all bullying is spoken or written. It is often done by text messages, on internet chat rooms or by instant messaging. Bullying can be subtle but most know who is doing it to them.

Cyberbullying:

The Impact / Feelings

What emotions / feelings
are associated with Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying and textual harassment are equally disruptive and threatening. In fact, cyber bullying can be worse than the traditional school yard variety because a cyber bully can remain anonymous by posting unsigned attacks on his / her online social network.

Victims of cyberbullying are literally humiliated in a worldwide venue which can occur 24 hours a day. When bullied in this fashion, whether text or image, it is virtually impossible to get everything removed from cyber space.

Harassed; fearful; ashamed; alone; depressed; embarrassed; hopeless; upset.

Effects of Cyberbullying

What are the effects
of Cyberbullying?

The effects of cyber bullying may not be noticeable at first, but the stress factor builds up over time. Many students experiencing cyber bullying feel alone and scared. In most instances, cyber bullying doesn’t start online, but in person. The situation then escalates.

The signs of cyber bullying include:

1. Not wanting to go to school / college or skipping class
   
2. A sharp drop in grades and performance.
   
3. Sudden self-esteem issues.
   
4. Complaints of illnesses.
   
5. Acting withdrawn.
   
6. Use of alcohol or drugs.

Help When Cyberbullying Occurs

1. The Law (Good link to NI anti-Bullying forum fact-sheet) 
2. Support for parents.
3. Make sure you know how you should behave online - ‘netiquette’, having good manners when using the internet or mobile phone.
4. Never give your password to anyone. 
5. If you experience or witness cyber bullying you should talk to a parent or another adult about it.

Safeguarding / Preventing Cyberbullying

NISCC Standards of Conduct and Practice 5.9 - 

1. You must not: “Use social media or social networking sites or other forms of electronic communication in a way that contravenes professional boundaries, organisational guidelines or NISCC standards”.
2. Don’t respond or retaliate
3. Save the evidence
4. Tell the person to stop
5. Reach out for help – especially if the behaviour’s really getting to you
6. Protect your accounts. Don’t share your passwords with anyone.

How Would You Safeguard Against Cyberbullying On:

Social Networking Sites

Mobile Phones and Smart Phones

Emails and Chatrooms.

Useful Link

How Would You Record Incidents of Cyberbullying:

E.g. Pics of Messages; Show / Forward to Someone; Download a Record for Police etc.

Responding To Cyberbullying - PDF

Useful Link

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