What Is Cyber Bullying? – Elf Knows It [ARCHIVED]

by · 25th June 2011

Cyber bullying is a form of abuse, which is carried out through an internet service such as email, chat room, discussion group, online social networking, instant messaging or web pages. It can also include bullying through mobile phone technologies such as SMS

Examples of cyber bullying behaviour are:

  • Teasing and being made fun of;

  • Spreading of rumours online;

  • Sending unwanted messages; and

  • Defamation.


Cyber bullying can happen to anyone and the bully can act anonymously. People can also be bullied online by groups of people such as class groups or collective members of an online community.
It’s really important to learn how to protect yourself online and to learn how to respond if you or a friend is being cyber bullied.
 

HOW COMMON IS CYBER BULLYING?
A new study by the Anti-Bullying Centre in Trinity College Dublin has found that one in seven Irish secondary school students are victims of cyber bullying. Other studies world-wide have shown:

42 percent of kids have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once

 

  • 35 percent of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five had had it happen more than once.

  • 21 percent of kids have received mean or threatening e-mails or other messages.

  • 58 percent of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than once.

  • 58 percent have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

 

HOW YOU MIGHT FEEL IF YOUR BEING CYBER BULLYED

Just like bullying in real life, there can be terrible effects on those who experience cyber bullying.
Being bullied can lower your self-esteem and you may feel alone, sad, angry and scared. If you are being bullied it is not your fault and there is nothing wrong with you. Don’t be afraid to let someone know that you are being bullied as they may be able to help you.


 

HOW TO STOP CYBER BULLIES
If you are being cyber bullied it is possible that you’re feeling powerless and isolated. But, there are options and you can do things to stop the problem.

Keep a record (including time and date). This may help you (or the Gardaí) to find out who is sending the messages, if they are acting behind a user name.

Tell someone. Talk to someone you trust, a parent, friend, school counsellor or teacher.

Contact your phone or Internet service provider and report what is happening. They can help you with information about reporting the cyber bullying.

If messages are threatening or serious get in touch with the Gardaí. Cyber-bullying, if it’s threatening, is illegal. You don’t need to put up with that!

Don’t reply to bullying messages. It’ll only get worse if you do. By replying the bully gets what he or she wants. Often if you don’t reply the bully will leave you alone.

  1. Keep your user name and passwords secret Keep your personal information private so it doesn’t fall into the hands of someone who’ll mis-use it..

  2. Under certain circumstances (such as harassment and making threats) cyber bullying is a criminal activity and is illegal. If you feel your safety is at risk, contact your local Gardaí. Gardaí work together to reduce this type of crime and there are serious consequences for people participate in such activities.
     

CONSQEUENCES FOR THE CYBER BULLIES
As I mentioned, cyber bullying can be illegal, and the Gardaí can be involved. Providers,such as Internet and phone services can be involved, and the bully’s can lose the use of their service.

 

WHAT MORE SHOULD BE DONE
Cyber bullying should be educated more, some people don’t realise how serious cyber bullying can be. Schools should cover this subject, to let people know the harm caused, and the consequences. Social network websites like Bebo, and MySpace should have better reporting systems in place.

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