Lesson 3: Cyberbullying

1. Lesson 3: Cyberbullying

2. Objectives: • Define cyberbullying • Determine how to handle cyberbullying as a student • Identify school, state, and federal policies and penalties for cyberbullying

3. Cyberbullying - the use of Information Technology to harm or harass other people in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.

4. Some methods of Cyberbullying: • Sending insulting and/or threatening emails, texts or instant messages directly to Alicia’s computer, cell phone, and other e-communication devices • Hateful comments about someone through emails, blogs, online profiles, or chat rooms • Stealing passwords and sending out threatening messages using a false identity • Building a Web site targeting specific people

5. Not liking someone’s status/post on social media Would this classify as cyberbullying?

6. Repeatedly making negative comments on someone’s posts Would this classify as cyberbullying?

7. Circulating mean/hateful emails about a person Would this classify as cyberbullying?

8. Making a joke on your friends social media status/post Would this classify as cyberbullying?

9. Purposely “catfishing” someone to get their personal information Would this classify as cyberbullying?

10. Ways to Handle Cyberbullying: • If it is cyberbullying, report it. • If comfortable doing so, reach out to the person and offer friendship and support. • If you do not know the bully, DO NOT engage with them. • If your friends are involved, make an in-person plea for them to stop.

11. Reporting Cyberbullying: • If it is really serious or really having an impact on that person, report it to an authority figure. Authority Figures: • If there’s concern about others finding out who reported it, ask for the report to be kept confidential. • Teachers • School Staff • Campus Police • Other Law Enforcement

12. Free speech does not give someone the right to bully or harass someone else. School Consequences: • Up to and including expulsion

13. Consequences of Cyberbullying: Federal Law: State Law: • No federal laws specifically for cyberbullying • Criminal convictions can include fines and jail time • In some cases, cyberbullying overlaps with discriminatory harassment • Civil convictions include restitution – compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused • Discriminatory harassment is handled by the federal government

14. Summary: • Define cyberbullying • Determine how to handle cyberbullying as a student • Identify school, state, and federal policies and penalties for cyberbullying