Cyber Bullying, what would you do?
CYBER BULLYING
What makes cyber bullying so dangerousis that anyone can practice it without having to confront the victim. You dont have to be strong or fast, simply equipped with a cell phone or a computer and a willingness to terrorize.
(King, 2006)
KEY AREASWHAT IS CYBER BULLYING?
EXAMPLES OF CYBER BULLYING
WHAT A STUDENT CAN DO
WHAT PARENTS / GUARDIANS CAN DO
What is cyber-bullying?Cyber-bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies such as e-mail, cell phone and pager text messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites, and defamatory online personal polling Web sites, to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group, that is intended to harm or upset others.(Bell Belsey, www.cyberbullying.ca )Characteristics of Cyber-bullying
Unequal powerRepetitive behavioursBully can remain anonymousBully can pretend to be another personBullying can happen anywhere, anytime, given that cyber-space is everywhere all of the timeBullying can take many forms within the cyber-space environmentCapacity for instant and limitless sending of words and images
Vehicles for cyber-bullyingEmailIM MSNSocial networking sites FacebookWeb sitesChat roomsVirtual learning environments school work sitesMobile phonesCamera phonesOn line and interactive gamesBlogsWikisBashing site Rate My School Internet polling Doodle
I fell out with my friend and she has told all my friends to block me on MSN messenger.
8Ask the children to think about whether they have ever had this happen to them or if they have ever done something like this to anyone else.
Someone keeps ringing my phone laughing and hanging up. I dont know who it is
This week I have had 4 texts sayingI hate you. Someone took a picture of me being pushed, over on their phone and sent it to everyone in my class.
Someone set up a voting page on how ugly I was
I told my friend my email password and when we fell out she emailed nasty messages to my friends so now they are not talking to me.
I split up with my boyfriend and he posted personal information about our relationship on the internet
Someone has set up a hate page about me
Why cyber-bully?Motivations of anger, revenge or frustration For entertainment or laughsThey are bored and have too many tech toys To get a reaction By accident they reacted impulsivelyPower-Hungry - to torment others and to boost their ego or statusStudents may start out defending themselves from traditional bullying to find they enjoy the buzz Often girls do it to sustain their social standingSome think they are righting wrongs or defending othersPercentage of Bullying per Technology
How does it make children feel?I dont want to come to schoolEveryone hates meI feel really left outI cant tell anyone because they will take my phone off meNo one will understand There is no escapeWho else is involved?
18HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT VICTIMS OF BULLYING
What can students do?Text a friend
Tell a teacherLook online and email a website for adviceSpeak to an adultPhone a friend20
Dont reply
Keep the messages as evidenceBlock the bully from your phone, email, messenger etcFind support and help from websites likeDont give your passwords to ANYONE What can students do?21WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A PARENT OR GUARDIAN?WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO ADDRESS CYBER BULLYING?Generational gapDifficult for parents to understand as they didnt experience this as childrenLack of knowledge of IT/technology Hard for parents to monitor (a lot happens at night when asleep)Its moving at a faster rate than our research/understanding and safety measures
23WHERE TO BEGIN?
Spend some time learning about cyber technologyGet involved with your childrens online activities, validate their skills and learn from themGet on the internet and mobile phone and learn how it works. Ask your children to show youTalk with other parents 24IMPLEMENT SAFE TOOLS NOW!
Have the computer in a place that you can see it (not hidden away in childs bedroom) Choose products with parental controls Have a suitable filter on the computer to stop inappropriate material or sitesEnsure you as the parent has access rights to your childrens computers and passwords25TALK WITH YOUR CHILDRENTalk regularly with your child about on-line activities he or she is involved in. Talk specifically about cyber bullying Encourage your child to tell you if he or she is aware of others who may be the victims of such behaviour Explain that cyber bullying is harmful and unacceptable behaviour26STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU FEEL YOU CHILD IS BEING CYBER BULLIEDCreate a safe environment for technology useMonitor your childs cyber usageTalk with your child about their usage Block future contact from the cyber bully Contact your childs school Consider contacting the cyber bullys parents Keep proof of the cyber bullying (e.g., copies of an e-mail message) in case you need them as evidence
27THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE
