Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying (Online Bullying)

is the term used to refer to bullying and harassment by use of technologies through means of e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, and websites.

Cyberbullying is when a person is targeted, humiliated or harassed using the Internet or mobile phones. With the increasing use of social networking sites, such as BEBO, My Space, You Tube, FaceBook, MSN and gaming sites, Cyberbullying is fast becoming a cause of concern. Cyberbullying can occur in a number of ways:

Text messages.

• Hateful and/or threatening messages sent anonymously or signed.
• Death threats sent anonymously or signed.
• Stealing or guessing a password.
• Hacking into another person’s computer.
• Tormenting and/or threatening a person on game sites.
• Posting nasty things on a person’s web guestbook, myspace page or blog.
• Pretending to be someone they know and tricking a person into saying hurtful and/or nasty things.
• Setting up a site with the intention to ‘target’ an individual or group of people.

Cyber and text bullying can continue long after schools have closed their gates. The increase in the use of mobile phones and personal computers has led to an increase in Cyber Bullying.

There are 2 types of Cyberbullying:

• Direct Attack – nasty and unwanted messages and/or emails sent directly to you
• Indirect Attack – Using others to help cyberbully you, posting nasty things about you on a website, using your personal details for their own purpose.

If you are being bullied by mobile phone or the Internet:

Don’t ignore it. TELL SOMEONE you trust immediately.

• Even though it is natural to try and defend yourself, try not to respond as this may make matters worse.
• Keep the texts and/or emails as evidence. Create a new folder and store them safely. This is your evidence.

Stay Safe – Mobile

• Only give your number out to close friends you know and trust.
• Be aware of how easy it is to edit and change any photo and/or video clips you send.
• Be careful of the images you share and who you share them with – anyone can put your picture on an unsuitable website where it can be viewed by many.

Stay Safe – Social Networking Sites

• Never share any personal details with anyone you meet online.
• Never use your personal details on gaming sites.
• If you don’t know them in the real world – don’t add them to your MSN list.
• Never send your photo to anyone or use a webcam with someone you have met online.
• Never arrange to meet some one you have met online.
• Make sure you know how to block someone on your MSN or in a chat/gaming site.

If someone you have met in a chat room or on a gaming site is asking you a lot of questions or asking to meet you, TELL an adult you trust immediately. There are a lot of people online who are not who they seem to be and their intentions are bad.

Be careful when you ‘chat’ online. It is very easy to give out personal information about ourselves without realising it. Before you send your message, have another look at it and make sure it is basic and doesn’t contain any details that may give someone an idea of who or where you are.

Stay Safe – Blogs

‘Blogging’ can be great fun and is a way of sharing your thoughts, feelings and opinions with your friends. When you set up your blog…

• Password protect it and keep your password safe.
• Only allow people you know well (and trust) to view your blog.
• Don’t make your blog public.

For further information on ‘Staying Safe Online’ visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – www.ceop.gov.uk.