Cyberbullying

What is it?

• Cyberbullying is taking some of the same bullying tactics of the schoolyard and bringing them into the online world.  Online communications can be more vicious than in-person bullying because the hurtful, embarrassing messages and pictures can be widely distributed.
• There are a variety of tools that are used in Cyberbullying including texts, websites, emails, and instant messages. Once Cyberbullying has begun, it can be hard for a victim to find a safe place free of harassment.

How common is it?

• 27% of teenagers admit to engaging in Cyberbullying behavior (New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Research Ctr. & published in Journal of Adolescent Health, Sept 2007).
• 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?

• Our greatest prevention tool is the strong involvement of parents and other caring adults. 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. 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. A painful challenge is that with no in-person contact it’s hard to know when even a well-meaning person has gone too far. Encourage youth to advocate for each other by deleting hurtful material and confronting known cyberbullies about the negative impact of their behavior.
• TALK to your children on an ongoing basis about the risks of online behavior. Encourage them to REPORT to you online incidents that make them feel uncomfortable, angry, or confused. You, in turn, can make a report to your Internet Service Provider and/or Law Enforcement. If the Cyberbullying is tied to a school network or relationship, it is a good idea to notify a guidance counselor or principal about the problem.

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.

Cyberbullying Information as a PDF handout