Cyber Bullying March
1. Define cyber bullying and the methods used.
Cyber bullying is any harassment that occurs via the internet. Vicious forum posts, name calling in chat rooms, posting fake profiles on web sites, and mean or cruel email messages are all methods of cyberbullying.
2. Why is cyber bullying considered by some to be the most harmful of all the other types of bullying?
Cyber-bullying is very dangerous because you never know (a) just how far the bully will go to make the other person feel horrible about themselves and (b) the mental state of the victim. There have been very unfortunate instances where young teens have committed suicide over something that another individual said to them over the internet. For this, (c) we should reach an unlimited number of people.
3. How does the bullied feel/think?
They may feel it is their fault for being bullied: For instance, they might think they are weak and do not have good friendships. They may think of themselves as failures and not worthy of being helped by others, afraid that they might get hurt even more seriously after asking for help from others, and afraid that their parents and teachers might blame them for not standing up for themselves.
4. How does the bully feel/think?
When it comes to cyber-bullying, they are often motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. Sometimes they do it for entertainment or because they are bored and have too much time on their hands and too many tech toys available to them. Many do it for laughs or to get a reaction. Some do it by accident, and either send a message to the wrong recipient or didn't think before they did something. The Power-hungry do it to torment others and for their ego. Revenge of the Nerd may start out defending themselves from traditional bullying only to find that they enjoy being the tough guy or gal. Mean girls do it to help bolster or remind people of their own social standing. And some think they are righting wrong and standing up for others. Because their motives differ, the solutions and responses to each type of cyber-bullying incident has to differ too.
5. Statistics re: teens and cyber bullying.
20% of the over 4,400 randomly selected in a study stated that 11-18 year olds had been a victim at some point in their lifetime. About 10% of kids in this recent study said they had both been a victim and a offender (www.cyberbullying-identification.com).
6. What is cyber bullying by proxy?
Cyber-bullying through proxy is when the "bully" gets someone to do the dirty work for them. Most often they are unwitting accomplices and don't know they are being used by the "bully". Cyber-bullying by proxy is considerably the most dangerous type of cyber- bullying because it often gets adults involved in the harassment and most of the time the adults are unaware that they're bullying a child.
7. What if it happens to you?
If you're being bullied again and again, there's one "Most Important Thing" you should do: Talk to an adult. This is so important, we'll say it again.
Talk to an adult! Start with your parents. It's not "tattling". It's asking the people who love you to give you help when you really need it. If the bullying happens at school, make sure your parents discuss it with a school official, not with the parents of the bully. If you feel you can't tell your parents, or your parents don't give you the support you need, talk to another adult you trust: a teacher, principal, school counselor, or someone at your church or synagogue. If you feel you can't talk to anyone, try writing a letter about what's happening. Keep a copy for yourself and give it to an adult you trust. If you don't want to talk to someone alone, bring a friend, sibling, or parent. It especially helps to bring someone who has seen the bullying. Make it clear to the adult that you are really upset by what's going on. This is especially true if the bullying is "verbal bullying." Many adults don't take verbal bullying seriously, but the truth is, this is the kind of bullying that can hurt the most.
8. What if you are a bystander?
Reporting bullying is NOT tattling. Tattling is when you want to get someone in trouble. When you report bullying, you are helping someone else. It is important to know and understand the difference.
9. What are some of the myths that teens have about cyber bullying?
Myth #1: Bullies are rejected by their peers and have no friends. Myth #2: Bullies have low self-esteem. Myth #3: Being a victim builds character. Myth #4: Many childhood victims of harassment become violent as teens. Myth #5: There is a victim personality.
10. What are the state and federal laws that teens need to be aware of re: cyber bullying?
Recently, a number of states have passed strong cyber bullying laws that are designed to protect children from being harassed, threatened and humiliated online. These laws represent a crucial step towards National anti-cyber bullying laws which will protect children of all ages in every corner of the country. Many states have passed several laws that force schools to create anti-cyber bullying policies which cover bullying “in schools, on school property or at any school function or school-sponsored activity.” Legislation passed a law allowing school officials to take action against cyber bullies even if the bullying did not originate or take place on school property. The law gave school administrators much more freedom to discipline those individuals who sought to harass their fellow students.
11. Please list some great websites or YouTubes.
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp?area=main
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6924422.stm
http://cyberbullying.org/
12. Besides the above questions, what are some other questions teachers could use to lead a discussion?
1. What is meant by the "stop, block, and tell" technique?
2. How is cyber bullying different from traditional bullying?
3. What are the biggest changes in the fight to stop cyberbullying?
For additional information on bullying please see the Mater Dei student planner pages 1-24 in the section entitled "Take Action Against Bullying!!" (in the back of the planner). Also kidsare.worthit.com is very helpful. For information on Mater Dei policies regarding bullying please see the section of the parent student handbook entitled "Level III Infractions" located on pages 36 and 37. A level III infraction will result in a combination of level III consequences. Three demerits are assigned for each.
With Kindness and Compassion,
Rachel's Challenge Commissioner Sarah Vale 10th