Cyberbullying:

1. Cyberbullying: What Parents Need to Know

2. Technology is Here to Stay • Technology has changed the world in many ways. Most of those changes have been positive; however, one negative has been the development of a new form of bullying… cyberbullying.

3. What is Cyberbullying? • When a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, cell phone or other digital technology. • Usually not a one-time thing, repetition or frequency of communication is a major indicator of cyberbullying.

4. Methods of Cyberbullying • Instant messaging (IM) • Texting • Chatrooms • email

5. Is It Cyberbullying? • Repeated e-mails or IMs • Following the child around online, into chat rooms, favorite web sites, etc. • Building fake profiles, web sites or posing as your child’s e-mail or IM • Planting statements to provoke third-party stalking and harassment

6. Is It Cyberbullying? • Signing your child up for porn sites and e-mailing lists and junk e-mail and IM. • Breaking in to their accounts online • Sharing intimate information about the child (sexual, special problems, etc.) • Sharing contact information about the child coupled with a sexual solicitation (“for a good time call …” )

7. Is It Cyberbullying? • Stealing or otherwise accessing their passwords • Posting images of the child online (taken from any source, including video and photo phones) • Posting real or doctored sexual images of the child online • Sharing personal information about the child

8. Is It Cyberbullying? • Encouraging that others share their top ten hit lists or ugly lists online and including your child on that list • Posting and encouraging others to post nasty comments on your child’s blog • Sending threats to others or attacking others while posing as your child

9. Is It Cyberbullying? • Registering your child’s name and setting up a bash web site or profile • Posting rude or provocative comments while posing as your child (such as insulting racial minorities at a web site devoted to that racial minority) • Sending spam or malware to others while posing as your child

10. Is It Cyberbullying? • Posting your child’s text-messaging address or cell phone number online to encourage abuse and increase your child’s text-messaging or cell phone charges • Sending “jokes” or rude things about your child to others or mailing lists • Copying others on your child’s private e-mail and IM communications • Posting bad reviews or feedback on your child

11. Why is Cyberbullying on the Rise? • 75% of teens own cell phones • Over 95% use the Internet regularly • Texting beat out every other form of daily communication for teens • 88% of teens text • Unlimited texting plans mean teens are sending on average over 3000 texts per month

12. Why Do Teens Cyberbully? • Anger • Frustration • Justice or Defense of Others • Entertainment • To Feel Better About Themselves • Boredom • Humor • To Be Popular It’s Anonymous!

13. Signs That Your Teen Might Be a Victim of Cyberbullying • Signs of emotional distress during or after Internet or phone use • Being very secretive of digital life • Withdrawal from friends and activities • Avoidance of school or group gatherings • Grades are falling • Changes in mood, behavior, sleep or appetite • Long hours on the computer • Less attentive in school • Frequent complaints of illness or requests to stay home • Emotionally distant

14. Impact of Cyberbullying on Teens • No Safe Place: Bullying now follows teens wherever they go-even home. • Anxiety • Depression • Stress-Related Disorders • Academic Failure

15. What to Do if Your Teen is Being Cyberbullied • Talk to your teen: Let your child know that it is not his/her fault. • Talk to your teen before calling anyone else: Teens don’t want to be considered “snitches”. • Do not over-react. • Do not under-react: Take it seriously. Using phrases such as “let it go” might minimize the problem.

16. What to Do if Your Teen is Being Cyberbullied • Have your teen “Take 5”: Put down the electronics and do something he/she loves to do for five minutes • Digitally block the bully • Limit access to technology: Keep the computer in a public place in the home • Use parental controls to monitor • Seek counseling if necessary

17. What to Do if Your Teen is Being Cyberbullied • Be Informed: Use sites such as netlingo.com to learn terminology of digital communication • If bullying persists or becomes more severe: Use monitoring software to document, then report to authorities

18. What to Do if Your Teen is Cyberbullying • Address the problem immediately • Make it clear that bullying of any kind is unacceptable • Remind your teen that use of cell phones and computers is a privilege that can be taken away • Make clear the serious consequences if the behavior continues • Be sure to follow through on consequences the first time. This shows your teen that you are serious.

19. Resources • stopcyberbullying.org • safetyweb.com • kidshealth.org • netlingo.com • wiredsafety.org

20. References • Beale, A. V., & Hall, K. R. (2007). Cyberbullying: What school administrators (and parents) can do. Clearing House, 81(1), 8-12. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. • http://mashable.com/2010/10/14/nielsen-texting-stats/ • http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/bullies-bullying • http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/cyberbullying.html# • http://puresight.com/Cyberbullying/cyber-bullying-statistics.html