Cyber bullying is the use of electronic communication, such as computer email messages, cell phone text messages, or posts to social network sites or webpages that send harmful or threatening messages in order to bully, shame, or intimidate a person.

Forms of Bullying

circulating photos

Sexting, or circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person

hurtful messages

Posting hurtful, insulting or threatening messages or images on social networking sites or web pages

sending threats

Sending hurtful messages or threats to a person's email account or cell phone

spreading rumors

Sexting, or circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person

catfishing

Pretending to be someone else online to in order hurt another person

ACCOUNT HACKING

Stealing a person's account information to break into their account and send damaging messages

SENDING HUMILIATING PHOTOS

Taking unflattering pictures of a person and spreading them through cell phones or the Internet

CYBER
BULLYING

CAN BE VERY
DAMAGING +
LEAD TO:

CYBER BULLYING
CAN BE VERY DAMAGING AND LEAD TO:

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A recent study by the Cyber bullying Research
Center (2015) reported that

34% of the students surveyed reported being cyberbullied at some point in their lives.

Of these, 21% had been cyberbullied two or more times in the past 30 days.

Approximately 15% of those surveyed admitted to cyberbulling others at some point in their lives.

34% of the students surveyed reported being cyberbullied at some point in their lives.

Of these, 21% said they had been cyberbullied in the 30 days preceding the survey

Approximately 15% of those surveyed admitted to cyberbullying others at some point in their lives.

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Adolescent girls are just as likely, if not more
likely than boys, to experience cyber bullying

Adolescent girls are just as likely, if not more likely than boys, to experience cyber bullying

(as a victim and offender)

The Center’s research also found that, based on their analysis of over 73 articles written on the topic, that:

Cyber bullying is related to low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, anger, frustration, and a variety of other emotional and psychological problems

Cyberbullying is related to other issues in the ‘real world’ including school problems, anti-social behavior, substance use, and delinquency

Traditional bullying is still more common than cyberbullying

Traditional bullying and cyber bullying are closely related: those who are bullied at school are bullied online and those who bully at school bully online

The National Youth Violence Prevention
Resource Center has estimated that

The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center has estimated that

30%

of our youth are a
target of bullying

While bullying used to be a problem isolated to school property it has spread to every place imaginable because of technology, and no place is safe for someone being bullied in this way.

Some cases of cyber bullying have become so severe they have led to the victim’s suicide.

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of female teens surveyed reported incidents of cyberbullying

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of male teens surveyed reported incidents of cyberbullying

Computer Icon 2013

High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey

High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Teens in grades 9th-12th, reported experiences of cyberbullying through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, websites, and texting

15%

of the teens surveyed reported incidents of

cyberbullying

Speach Bubble Female Figure Female Figure

of female teens surveyed reported incidents of cyberbullying

Speach Bubble Male Figure Male Figure

of male teens surveyed reported incidents of cyberbullying

Computer Icon 2013

High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey

12 months before the survey, teens in grades 9th-12th, reported experiences of cyberbullying through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, websites, and texting

15%

of the teens surveyed reported incidents of

cyberbullying

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The Psychology of Cyber Bullying

How has this problem become what it has?

While face to face bullies employ intentional, aggressive behavior that is used against those less powerful that themselves, cyber bullies can use electronic means and bully anonymously. This ability could increase the likelihood of someone harming another person since the aggressor doesn’t physically see the pain he or she is causing the victim and can more easily engage in cruel behaviors without immediate consequence.

In a study by Steffgen, Konig, Pfetsch, and Melzer (2010), researchers found that those who engaged in cyber bullying had less empathy compared to those not involved in such behavior, while another study found that

students who admitted to this type of bullying reported feeling “funny, popular, and powerful.”

Clearly, this type of aggression is harmful to everyone involved.

Many young perpetrators also do not realize or stop first to consider the consequences of their actions before they engage in this type of bullying until it is too late:

Sending a very private picture or piece of information about someone over the internet has the potential to reach a very wide audience that can lead to irreparable harm.

It’s not as simple as tearing down an insulting poster in the school hall or throwing out a harassing note passed between groups of friends during class; nor can a victim simply walk away from the situation in hopes of diffusing it.

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Over
90%
of teens
carry a
cell phone

75%
of them
use a
computer

Cyber bullies follow their victims into their homes, their cars, & anywhere else they have access to technology

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IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD
IS BEING BULLIED, take action!

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED, take action!

If your child has a high level of anxiety about going to school, find out why. If they are especially worried about having certain items or amounts of cash on hand for school, investigate further. While they may not wish you to intervene, you aren’t helping anyone by allowing victimization to continue. Parents should also understand the anti-bullying laws in their state and take legal action if and when other means do not work.

On the other hand, if you suspect your child may be bullying someone else, do not hesitate to do the same:

Get the facts and courageously take action. Every victim has a perpetrator. Many children take this position because they feel victimized themselves. Watch for secretive or cliquish behavior, and intervene as soon as possible.

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REPORT IT

Our schools need the support of parents in their attempts to both educate and enforce policies and programs toward educating our children about anti-bullying and how to get help for those who may be encountering this problem.

To report bullying: www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/how-to-report/

5 things to do if you’re a victim of cyberbullying

5 things to do if you’re a victim of cyberbullying

No.01

Don't reply to the Cyberbully

Even though you may want to do respond, this is exactly what cyberbullies want. They feed off of getting people upset. They are trying to control you and make you fearful. Don't give them what they want.

No.02

Tell Someone You Trust

It’s very important to tell somebody. Your parents, the authorities, your school. You are not alone and you do not deserve this. Share it with someone you trust and they will help you.

No.03

Inform the Online Service Providers

Report it to your ISP as well as the website or app you are being harassed on. The cyberbullying.org website has a long list of resources where you can find links.

No.04

Report it to Law Enforcement

When cyberbullying involves threats of violence, child pornography or sending explicit messages or photos, taking photos or videos of someone where they should expect privacy or stalking/hate crimes,it is considered a crime and should be reported to police.

No.05

Do not erase or delete messages from cyberbullies

You don’t need to read it but you should keep it for evidence. The police and your ISP, and/or your telephone company can use these messages to help you. The messages may also reveal certain clues as to who is doing this to you, but don't try and solve this on your own, remember, tell an adult you know and trust. GET HELP!

1 Point 21 Interactive and Mayor Law, LLC

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