Cyber Bullying

What every parent needs to know!

Topics of Discussion

• What is Cyberbullying?
• Bullying Statistics
• Types of Cyberbullying
• Why do Kids CyberBully?
• Prevention
• Cyber Safety

What is CyberBullying?

is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

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What is Cyberbullying?

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• It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor.

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• Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-harassment or cyberstalking

What Does the Research Say?

• Every day, 160,000 children miss school out of fear of being bullied by other students.

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• Every 7 minutes a child is bullied on a school playground, with over 85% of those instances occurring without any intervention.

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• Bullying occurs most frequently from sixth to eighth grade.

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What Does the Research Say?

• 6 out of 10 American teens witness bullying at least once a day.

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• 1 out of every 10 students who drops out of school does so because of being repeatedly bullied.

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• Those who are bullied are 5x more likely to be depressed and far more likely to be suicidal.

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How it Works – Direct Attacks

• Instant/Text Messaging Harassment
• Stealing Passwords
• Sending Pictures through E-mail and Cell Phones
• Interactive Gaming (PS3 and Xbox)

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• Websites
• Blogs
• Internet Polling
• Sending Malicious Code
• Sending Porn and Other Junk E-mail
• Impersonation

How it Works - Proxy

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• Cyberbullying by Proxy

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• Social Media Site Warnings

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• Bully Creates Problems for the Victim

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Why do kids cyberbully?

• Motivated by Anger, Revenge, and Frustration

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• Entertainment

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• Accident

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• Tough Guy or Gal

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• To Bolster or Improve their Social Standing

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• Think it’s Cool

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Suicides – Definitely Not Cool

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• Ryan Patrick Halligan – Age 13

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• Phoebe Prince – Age 15

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• Megan Meier – Age 13

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Types of Cyberbullies

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• The Vengeful Angel

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• Power-Hungry and Revenge of the Nerds

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• Mean Girls

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• The Inadvertent Cyberbully

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Is your child a victim?

Many children who are bullied don’t tell anyone about it—even when they are asked directly by their parents. And according to research, the older the child, the less likely the child will be to report it at all. Your child might be the victim of a bully if he or she:

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Is your child a victim?

• Has a sudden fear of going to school.
• Has a sudden drop in grades
• Skips classes.
• Has bruises, cuts or ripped clothing.

• Stops talking about school
• Acts overly aggressive and angry or unusually withdrawn.
• Has stomachaches, headaches or difficulty sleeping.

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Prevent Bullying Steps

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• 1 in 4 children who bully have a criminal record before they’re 30.

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• What can parents do to make sure their kids don’t become bullies or victims?

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Prepare your child

• Children are less likely to be victims of bullying if they appear confident and resourceful. To make sure your child isn’t a victim:

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• Build your child’s self-respect.

Teach him that he is strong and worthwhile. His rights and opinions count.

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• Teach your child how to be assertive. Tell him to clearly express his feelings, say no when he feels pressured, and stand up for himself with words—not fists.

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Prepare your child

• Role-play tough situations. Practice using different ways to deal with bullies.

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• Identify supportive people. Tell your child where to get help, such as from parents, teachers and other trusted adults.

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• Encourage friendships. Give your child opportunities to socialize with like-minded kids. Joining a club or team may help.

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Prepare your child

• Stay involved. Know what’s happening at school and with friends.

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• Tell your child to avoid children who display bullying behavior.

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• Insist that your child walk away from dangerous situations. Children should never defend themselves or others from bullies who have a weapon.

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Prevent bullying behavior

• In a recent study, nearly one-third of kids admitted to having bullied someone. To prevent your child from becoming a bully:

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• Set an example. Be caring and non-aggressive. When you are angry, act calm.

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• Provide outlets. Channel high energy into sports and other activities.

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Prevent bullying behavior

• Monitor influences. Limit the amount of violence your child sees on TV and in video games.

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• Use firm, fair and consistent discipline. Enforce sensible limits without fail.

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• Encourage values. Say, “Treat others as you want to be treated.”

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Prevent bullying behavior

• Pay attention. Notice how your child behaves and address any problems immediately.

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• Seek advice. If you’re worried that your child might be a bully, talk with a professional.

12 Cyber Safety Tips

Today, our children are getting connected to the Internet at an early age. They are exposed to the Internet at home, school, and friend’s homes.

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• Learn all you can about the Internet. You need to know what they know when it comes to being online.
• Have a discussion about being safe online.
• Put the computer in an open area for easy monitoring. (applies to SMART phones, too)

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12 Cyber Safety Tips

4. Become familiar with parental controls.

5. Monitor your children’s Internet use.

6. Have your children show you what they know how to do online (favorite websites).

7. Get to know your children’s online friends.

8. Report inappropriate websites to your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

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12 Cyber Safety Tips

9. Set up and/or learn all of your children’s passwords and screen names (online identity)

10. Spend time online together until you are confident your children understand the potential dangers.

11. “Google” your children’s name.

12. Make sure Internet use is always monitored by an adult (includes school and other homes).

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Anonymity

• Kids need to know that all online transactions are recorded by the computer internet address.

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• Law departments can work with Internet providers to identify exactly where that computer is located (anywhere on the planet).

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• Device fingerprint – Makes it easy to find the real users.

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Cyber Safety Resources

• http://www.facebook.com/safety

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• http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

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• http://staysafeonline.org/

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• http://stopcyberbullying.org/

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Thank you!