Cyberbullying Prevention

What is cyberbullying?

• Cyberbullying is similar to the bullying that is done in-person except that it is done through technology. It is willful and repeated harm with the intent to hurt someone.
  •   Examples include:
    
    • Saying mean things online or via cell phones
    • Pretending to be someone else online
    • Using someone else's log-in to message inappropriate things
    • Sending embarrassing messages or pictures
    • Posting hateful speech or other derogatory messages
      
• Once cyberbullying has begun, it can be hard for a victim to find a safe place free of harassment.
  

How common is it?

43% of youth report that they have experienced some form of cyberbullying in the last year. Cyberbullying is most common amoung 15 and 16-year-old girls (National Crime Prevention Council 2007. Teens and Cyberbullying. Harris Interactive Market Research). 32% of Minnesota 5th-8th graders report having said mean or hurtful things on the Internet to others (Live I-Safe queries compiled from August 2006 - May 2007).

What can be done?

• Be involved. Be sure the computer is in a common area of the house, and have regular check-ins about family online expectations. Expectations should include a reminder that youth should not give out personal information online or share their passwords with friends. Children should also be taught that it is not okay to use the computer as a weapon to hurt their peers.
• Don't be a bystander. Just like face-to-face bullying, peers hold much of the power. Cyberbullying can become contagious as hurtful messages are forwarded along by a variety of individuals. Encourage youth to advocate for each other by deleting hurtful material and confronting known cyberbullies about the negative impact of their behavior.
• Encourage reporting. Ask your children to come to you when they experience online incidents that make them feel uncomfortable, angry, or confused. You, in turn, can make a report to your school, Internet Service Provider and/or Law Enforcement. Click here for more information on what to do if your child is targeted.
• Have policies in place. Schools should have explicit policies against cyberbullying. Since the effects of cyberbullying that occurs off school grounds spills over into class time, this can affect a child's ability to learn and create a hostile environment. Furthermore, policies and intervention need to be school-wide, not just applied to bullying that's already occuring. There are many model programs for schools to use, including Olweus. Click here to see more resources on bullying prevention.

It is important to remember that the Internet is a tool that can be used to help or to hurt. The Internet is a powerful educational tool that requires regular check-ins and supervision by adults. We want children and teenagers to be safe online citizens of the world.