The ultimate guide to cyber-bullying.

1. Cyber-bullying The ultimate guide to cyber-bullying.

2. What is it? • Cyber-bullying is the use of electronic information and communication to bully or otherwise harass an individual or group through personal attacks or other means, and it may constitute a computer crime.

3. Who does it affect? • Cyber-bullying affects both boys and girls. • Boys have tended to be more physically violent when it come to bullying. • Girls tend to be more mentally, emotionally, and socially bullies. • However, with the advancement of technology such as e-mails, online chat rooms, and social networking sites, both boys and girls have experienced cyber-bullying.

4. Where does it occur? • Cyber-bullying occurs on e-mails, instant messaging, text messages, cell phones, online chat rooms, and websites such as MySpace and Facebook.

5. Why do children cyber-bully? • With cyber-bullying, the bullies come in all sizes, still frightening and harming others, but without the physical contact. • Often times, cyber-bullies hide behind fictitious usernames and anonymous websites, making them hard to trace. As a result, the bully often feels invincible. Bullies are looking for attention where they may not receive it in their home, social, or educational lives. They enjoy receiving feedback and having someone pay attention to them. • Cyber-bullies also feel empowered by the instant access to both the victim and the audience that the internet provides. Because the bully does not have face to face contact with the victim during the attacks, he may not be aware of the level of hurt he is inflicting. Therefore, he may be less likely to feel regret or sympathy toward the victim, making the attacks all the more vicious. These factors can lead to a bully who feels more daring and powerful than the traditional bully. While the bully feels invincible, the victim often feels alone and helpless.

6. Signs of someone being cyber-bullied • Long hours on the computer • Closes windows on their computer when you enter room • Is secretive about Internet activities • Behavioral changes • Is always doing homework on the Internet, but always in chat groups and getting behind with school work • Fear of going to out of the house • Crying for no apparent reason • Lack of interest at social events that include other students • Complains of illness before school or community events often • Frequent visits to the school nurse or office complaining of feeling sick - wants to call Mom or Dad to come & get them • Lowered self-esteem • A marked change in attitude, dress or habits • Unexplained broken personal possessions, loss of money, loss of personal items • Stories that don't seem to make sense • Acting out aggression at home • Missing or incomplete school work, decreased success in class

7. What can you do? • Parents • Use technology as an opportunity to reinforce your family values. Attach rules and consequences if inappropriate behavior occurs. • Move the computer out of your child's bedroom and into the family room. • Teach your child not to share passwords. • Install monitoring and filtering software. • Monitor your child's screen name(s) and Web sites for inappropriate content. • If cyberbullying occurs, save and print out any evidence and decide whom you should contact for assistance.

8. What can you do? • Teachers • Awareness and education are the keys to the prevention of cyber-bullying. • Teach your students ways of avoiding cyber-bullying. • Keep an open communication with your students and let them know you are always willing to listen.

9. What can you do? • Students • Never give out personal information. • Don’t believe everything you see or read. • Use netiquette. • Don’t send a message to someone else when you are angry. • Don’t reply to messages from cyber-bullies. • Tell an adult if you are being cyber-bullied.

10. Support Groups • www.NCVC.org • iSAFE.org • www.stopcyberbullying.org • www.overcomebullying.org/bullying-support-group.html