Cyber bullying is any online message that threatens, harasses, humiliates or intimidates. It might be anonymous, from a former friend or even from someone you know.
It’s important to report cyber bullying. Make sure to tell an adult. Bullies can feel empowered because they believe they are nameless. Make sure they are not.
- Guard your personal identifying information such as name, age, date of birth, address, phone number, photographs and school name.
- Speak out when someone is being mean online. Talk to parents, teachers or an adult.
- Exit from conversations that make you feel uncomfortable or at risk. Do not worry about offending anyone. Block future messages from these senders.
- Do not reply to threatening or harassing messages. Keep a record of these messages including the date and time received. Save the message and report them to an appropriate source.
- If you get bullying messages online, ignore them rather than answer them. Cyber bullies are, just like other bullies, looking for a reaction.
- Taking part in web polls by voting on the ugliest kid or the most popular teacher is just as bad as creating the poll yourself. This is another form of bullying.
- Emails are as private as a postcard (which everyone can read). Never write anything in a message you would not want the world to read.
- Never use someone’s picture without their permission. Speak out on people that do.
- Do not participate in video-networking in which an unsuspecting victim is attacked or bullied while an accomplice records the incident with a camera or cell phone (happy slapping). This is wrong and can lead to criminal and civil consequences.
- Parents should always be aware of their family’s internet activities.
