Cyberbullying

1. Cyberbullying Information, trends, and tips Assignment: 6b1 By Mary C. Murphy Motivation and Classroom Management Course number: EDU615 Instructor , Dr. Greg Kearsley Date: February 21, 2010

2. According to http://www.olweus.org there are 9 types of bullying: 1. Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and bad names.2. Bullying through social exclusion or isolation.3. Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting.4. Bullying through lies and false rumors.

3. The 9 types of bullying 5. Having money or other things taken or damaged by students who bully.6. Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully.7. Racial bullying.8. Sexual bullying. Today we will look at the 9th type of bullying. 9. Cyber bullying.

4. Cyberbullying

5. What is cyberbullying? • According to http://www.character.org/cyberbullyingcurriculum • The formal definition of cyberbullying is intentional and repeated use of computer and cell phone networks by kids and teens to cause harm or distress to other kids and teens.

6. What the data shows

7. According to http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Cyber_Bullying_Statistics • 33% of youth have been victimized by cyberbullying. • 49% are victimized by instant message. • 28% by email. • 41% don’t tell an adult, 38% told an online friend. • 17% admitted to bullying online. • 19% said the situation got better when they told a friend. • 5% of youth said they feared for their own safety.

8. Technology and cyberbullying • Electronic formats include: e-mails, web sites, texting, cell phones, three-way calling, video, and blogs . • Cyberbullies sometimes, but not always, know their victims in real life. • Being ignored or disrespected are the most common forms of cyberbullying, and it occurs mostly in chat rooms. • Abusers enjoy anonymity and can get away with bullying easily online, because victims rarely tell they have been bullied.

9. How cyberbullies exploit the ease and access of technology. • Temporary emails, pseudonyms, and instant messaging hide identities . • Electronic formats lacking supervision, allow bullies a sense of anonymity empowering them to carry out their abuse. • Many teenagers know more about current technology than their parents, leaving them to be victims or offenders.

10. Cyberbullying hurts kids

11. Examples of Cyberbullying • Accessing an individual’s name or password and gaining access to a social networking site, and using the site to post damaging information. • Altering photographs through use of photo editing software in order to embarrass the individual. • Secretly recording conversations and posting them online. • Conducting online polls for the purpose of humiliation and embarrassment and posting them online . • Posting hurtful information on web sites and blogs to embarrass an individual. Source - http://www.cyberbullyalert.com/blog/2008/08/cyber-bullying-statistics-that-may-shock-you/

12. Be proactive • Adults need to initiate and maintain the conversation about cyberbullying with kids. • Students don’t report cyberbullying for fear of losing access to the Internet. • Also, students do not want to identify themselves as bullies or targets. • The rate of cyberbullying may be higher, because students prefer not to report it, be viewed as bullied, and fear losing access to the internet. Source - http://www.character.org/cyberbullyingcurriculum

13. Areas of Concern • Currently pre-teens and teens are the most frequent victims of cyberbullying. • As technology changes, it is important for schools and families to have a plan in place to deal with potential bullying online. • In order to have a plan, it is important to know the signs, reaction, and impact students experience to cyberbullying.

14. The “pile on” factor According to Caitlin Johnson, editor of bnetsavvy.com in a recent article on http://www.nea.org/home/4104.htm • "There's a 'pile on' mentality that can quickly escalate so that the victim feels the whole school is against them." • "We may not understand or engage in cyberspace the way these children can, but they're not developmentally ready to consistently make good decisions about how they use it. As adults, our area of expertise is in human relations, behavior, and effective problem-solving. This is the insight our children and teens need from us.“ • Caitlin Johnson, editor of bnetsavvy.com, a newsletter designed to help kids stay safer online, sponsored in part by the NEA Health Information Network.

15. Results of cyberbullying • Low self esteem • Various emotional responses: cyberbullying back, being scared, frustrated, angry, and depressed. • One of the most damaging effects is that a victim begins to avoid friends and activities, often the very intention of the cyberbully. • Source - http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Impact_of_Cyber_Bullying

16. Cyberbullying has led to tragedy in the form of teen suicide • Ryan Halligan died October 2003 as detailed by http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/interviews/halligan.html • Megan Meier died October 2006 as detailed by http://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/story/ • Phoebe Prince died Jan. 2010 as detailed by http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cyber-bullying-factor-suicide-massachusetts-teen-irish-immigrant/story?id=9660938

17. Helping kids understand it is going to be okay.

18. What adults can do right now • Ask your child/student what they know about cyber-bullying, and if they have ever witnessed cyber-bullying. • Role play positive roles to take if they witness bullying such as supporting the target, and letting the bully know that the behavior is not acceptable. • Purchase software that captures screenshots of the incident and sends alerts to parents when it occurs. Source- cybersmartcurriculum.org/assets/files/HC_45.pdf

19. What teachers can do • Educate students about cyberbullying and the range of emotions associated with bullying such as sadness, frustration and anger. • Educate students about the idea of sharing passwords, and what can happen when information winds up in the wrong hands. • Help students understand that people behave differently in groups, or when thought to be anonymous. Group behavior and anonymity can lead people to do things they wouldn’t do alone or face to face. Source - http://www.character.org/cyberbullyingcurriculum & http://cybersmartcurriculum.org

20. Teachers continued • Teach students that the best thing to do when someone is being cyberbullied is to tell an adult. • Everyone has a right to be treated fairly and has a responsibility to treat others fairly. • Watch your language: If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it online. • Language that says you intend to hurt someone will be taken very seriously.

21. What schools can do • Character Education Programs: To enhance character and prevent bullying and school violence. • Cyber Security Education: Instruction in the use of the Internet , information and communication technologies safely and sensibly. • Filters and other technological solutions to enhance Internet security offered with online safety lessons. Source - http://www.character.org/cyberbullyingcurriculum & http://cybersmartcurriculum.org

22. How parents can help

23. Information for parents • Parents can tell children that cyberbullying is intrusive and can be more upsetting than face to face bullying. This is because it happens at home, anytime of day, and beyond the schoolyard. • Discuss ways to handle cyberbullying such as: Stop, log off, and calm anger by taking deep breaths. • Parents need to be aware of the range of ways cyber-bullying occurs, and know what websites their children use even if they are deemed safe or password protected. Source- cybersmartcurriculum.org/assets/files/HC_45.pdf

24. Websites for parents • http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying • http://www.safetyweb.com • http://www.cyberbullying.org/ • http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/bullying/cyberbullying.pdf • http://cyberbullyalert.com/download.php

25. Websites for students • http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/cyberbullying/ • http://www.mcgruff.org • http://www.kidscomjr.com/games/safety/safety.html • http://www.netsmartzkids.org/uyn/passwordrap.htm

26. Websites for teachers • Cyber smart offers free lesson plans to teachers with valuable lessons . • http://cybersmartcurriculum.org/cyberbullying/cep/lessons/ • http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/default.aspx • The Megan Pledge • http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html

27. Moving forward • In closing, it is important for adults and children to be aware that cyberbullying exists and it is an issue that needs to be addressed before it becomes a problem. • Staying current with technology, websites, and software can help reduce cyberbullying. • Teachers, parents, and schools need to know the signs and the risks involved with cyberbullying. • Maintaining open communication will be a key strategy to prevent students from handling this problem alone.

28. Follow up with administration • It is important that HLE take proactive steps to communicate with students, teachers, and families about the seriousness of cyberbullying. • After researching this topic here is a list of recommendations for consideration: • Ongoing Internet safety lessons for all students . • A student made oath for all students to pledge against cyberbullying. • An anonymous reporting system allowing students to provide information regarding cyberbullying.

29. Follow up continued • Communication with parents in the form of printable posters available on the web that detail: types of cyberbullying, the importance of parent to child communication about the topic, parent tips, warning signs, risks, and resources. • Regular communication to students from teachers, student council, and PBS committee, that we are dedicated to technology, but above all care about the safety of our students at Highlands Elementary School.

30. References • World Wide Web • http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cyber-bullying-factor-suicide-massachusetts-teen-irish-immigrant/story?id=9660938 • http://cybersmartcurriculum.org • http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Cyber_Bullying_Statistics • http://www.character.org/cyberbullyingcurriculum • http://www.cyberbullyalert.com/blog/2008/08/cyber-bullying-statistics-that-may-shock-you • http://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/story/ • http://www.nea.org/home/4104.htm • http://www.olweus.org • http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/interviews/halligan.html • Images: • Figures from slides 4,6,10,17,& 22 Source: GoogleImages.com.

31. Cyberbullying Information, trends, and tips Prepared for Highlands Elementary School By Mary C. Murphy