Cyber-bullying:

Cyber-bullying:
Involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by individual/group that is intended to harm others.

1. Negative or hurtful behaviour: The behaviour of the bully is negative or hurtful to the victim. The bullying behaviour can range from nonverbal aggression, such as stares and teasing, to serious physical assaults. It can be direct or indirect; indirect bullying comprises behaviours that covertly cause distress to the victim, such as gossip, spreading of rumours, or encouraging others to exclude a person.
2. Imbalance of power: The bully is more powerful than the victim. The power differential in bullying may arise from differences in size and stature, but also from higher social status, a knowledge of vulnerabilities, or from the number of children colluding with the bully.
3. Intent to harm: The bully means to inflict emotional and/or physical harm on the victim.
4. Repeated over time: The negative behaviour towards the victim occurs repeatedly.

How Are Teens Cyberbullied?

Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Some youth who cyberbully

• 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

When teens were asked why they think others cyberbully, 81 percent said that cyberbullies think it’s funny. Other teens believe that youth who cyberbully

• Don’t think it’s a big deal
• Don’t think about the consequences
• Are encouraged by friends
• Think everybody cyberbullies
• Think they won’t get caught

What can be done to prevent Cyber-bullying?

For childrens/victims:

• Guard your personal information.
• Eg. Never give out personal information online, whether in instant message profiles, chat rooms, blogs, or personal web sites.
• Never give out your passwords to anyone except your parents. That includes friends.
• If someone sends a mean or threatening message, don't respond. For a bully, a reaction constitutes victory. Instead, save the message or print it out and show it to an adult.
• Never open e-mails from someone you don't know or from someone you know is a bully.
• Don't put anything online that you wouldn't want your classmates to see, even in e-mail.
• Don't send messages when you're angry. Before clicking "Send," ask yourself how you would feel if you received the message.
• Help kids who are bullied online by not joining in and showing bullying messages to an adult.

For parents:

• Don’t put a computer in your young child’s bedroom. Keep your computer is a busy area of your home.
• Set up e-mail and chat accounts with your children. Make sure that you know their screen names and passwords and that they don't include any personal information in their online profiles.
• Regularly go over their instant messenger "buddy list" with them. Ask who each person is and how your children know him or her.
• Discuss cyberbullying with your children and ask if they have ever experienced it or seen it happen to someone.
• Tell your children that you won't blame them if they are cyberbullied. Emphasize that you won't take away their computer or cell phone privileges - this is the main reason kids don't tell adults when they are cyberbullied.
• Watch out for signs that your child is being bullied online - a reluctance to use the computer or go to school may be an indication.
• Contact your child's school, local police or your Internet Service Provider if the bullying is severe. It's a criminal offence to threaten another person.
  

What Else Can I Do To Stay Cyber-safe?
Remember that the Internet is accessed by millions of people all over the world, not just your friends and family. While many Internet users are friendly, some may want to hurt you.
Below are some ways to stay cyber-safe:

• Never post or share your personal information online (this includes your full name, address, telephone number, school name, parents’ names, credit card number, or Social Security number) or your friends’ personal information.
• Don't ever share your Internet passwords with anyone, except your parents.
• Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online.
• Talk to your parents about what you do online.

http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying
http://www.slais.ubc.ca/COURSES/libr500/04-05-wt2/www/D_Jackson/what.htm

http://www.slais.ubc.ca/COURSES/libr500/04-05-wt2/www/D_Jackson/prevent.htm