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What is Cyberbullying (Online bullying)?
Recent reports indicate a significant rise in the number of children being counseled
regarding bullying especially using the new technologies such as text messaging
and email. These channels offer additional ways to participate in online bullying,
e-bullying or cyberbullying, which is defined as follows:
‘…the use of information and communication
technologies such as email, [mobile] phone and …text
messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web
sites and defamatory personal polling Web sites, to
support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior
by an individual or a group, that is intended to harm
others.’
[Bill Belsey, www.cyberbullying.ca]
Children and young people are keen adopters of new
technologies, but this can also leave them open to
the threat of online bullying. An awareness of the
issues and knowledge of methods for dealing with
online bullying can help reduce the risks.
Keep in mind that bullying does
not only occur through the Internet.
Bullying by text message
Bullying by text message has become an unfortunate
and unpleasant by product of the convenience that Short
Message Service (SMS) offers. Texting is more casual
than a phone call and messages can be sent and received
at times when other communication is not convenient.
It is also perceived as being more anonymous, particularly
if the message is sent via a Web site. Sometimes text
messages are sent to embarrass, threaten or upset someone.
This can be particularly distressing as the message
can arrive when the receiver least expects it. Additionally,
if the person’s number is not listed in the receiver’s
address book then the receiver will not necessarily
know who has sent the message.
Children should be advised to be careful about giving
out their mobile phone number, and ask that those that
have their number never pass it on. Only known and
trusted friends should have the number as it is less
likely to be abused.
If being bullied by text message, children should immediately
seek help from a teacher, parent or guardian. They
should not respond to the messages, but should keep
a detailed diary recording information such as the
content of the message, the date, the time, the caller
ID or whether the number was withheld or not available.
If space permits, the messages should also be stored
on the phone in case they are needed later as evidence.
Abuse in the form of bullying should be reported to
the mobile phone company who can take certain steps
to try to resolve the situation, and in some instances
it may also be necessary to involve the police.
In some cases it may be necessary, or easier, to change
the mobile phone number or to purchase a new phone.
Bullying by email
Like bullying by text message, email provides a reasonably
anonymous method of communication which bullies have
seized upon to harass their victims.
If being bullied by email, children should not respond
to the messages, but should seek help from a teacher,
parent or guardian. Likewise if they receive an email
message from an unknown sender, they should exercise
caution over opening it, or ask an adult for assistance.
The message should not be automatically deleted but
instead be kept as evidence of bullying.
If the email is being sent from a personal email account,
abuse should be reported to the sender’s email
service provider. Many email programs also provide
facilities to block email from certain senders.
If the bullying emails continue, and the email address
of the sender is not obvious, then it may be possible
to track the address using special software. Your email
service provider may be able to offer assistance in
doing this.
In certain cases, it may be easier to change your email
address, and exercise caution with whom the address
is shared.
Bullying within chat rooms or by instant messaging
Aside from the general risks of using chat rooms and
instant messaging (IM) services, these services are
also used by bullies.
Chat is a way of communicating with numerous people
at the same time by typing messages which immediately
appear on screen in a virtual meeting place, known
as a chat room. Chat rooms have an element of anonymity
so children may often have the confidence to say things
online which they would not say face to face. Though
this can be a positive thing for some children, it
can also lead to bullying. Groups are often formed
in chat rooms, just as they would be in school, and
can be used as a way of excluding or harassing others.
Children should be encouraged to always use moderated
chat rooms, and to never give out personal information
while chatting. If bullying does occur, they should
not respond to messages, but should leave the chat
room, and seek advice from a teacher, parent or guardian.
If using a moderated chat room, the system moderators
should also be informed, giving as much detail as possible,
so that they can take appropriate action.
Instant Messaging or IM is a form of online chat but
is private between two, or more, people. The system
works on the basis of ‘buddy lists’, where
chat can only take place with those on your list. Children
should only add people to their buddy list that they
know, and reject requests from others to join their
list. Although this effectively reduces the risk of
being bullied by IM, abuse is still possible.
If a child is bullied or harassed by IM, the service
provider should be informed giving the nickname or
ID, date, time and details of the problem. The service
provider will then take appropriate action which could
involve a warning or disconnection from the IM service.
If a child has experienced bullying in this way, it
might also be worth re-registering for instant messaging
with a new user ID.
Bullying through Web sites
Although less common, bullying via Web sites is now
becoming an issue. Such bullying generally takes the
form of Web sites that mock, torment, harass or are
otherwise offensive, often aimed at an individual or
group of people.
If a child discovers a bullying Web site referring
to them, they should immediate seek help from a teacher,
parent or guardian. Pages should be copied and printed
from the Web site for evidence purposes, and the Internet
service provider (ISP) responsible for hosting the
site should be contacted immediately. The ISP can take
steps to find out who posted the site, and request
that it is removed. Many ISPs will outline their procedures
for dealing with reported abuse in an acceptable use
policy (AUP) which can be found on their Web site.
Additionally, many Web sites and forum services now
provide facilities for visitors to create online votes
and polls, which have been used by bullies to humiliate
and embarrass their fellow pupils. Again, any misuse
of such services should be reported to a teacher, parent
or guardian who should then take steps to contact the
hosting Web site and request the removal of the poll.
Strategies for preventing online bullying
Awareness of general Internet safety practices can
help to reduce the risk of online bullying, and generally
ensure that children remain safe when online or using
any technology. The following hints and tips are adapted
from those provided by www.cyberbullying.ca – Always
On? Always Aware!, and could be used as a basis for
class discussion by teachers.
- Keep personal information private
Personal information should be kept private at all
times. This includes details such as name, address,
email address, home and mobile phone numbers, school
name, membership of clubs, or information on family
and friends. If bullies don’t have access to
this information, the less likely they are to be
able to abuse it.
- Don’t believe everything you read
Just because someone online tells you that they are
15 doesn’t mean they are telling the truth. Even
adults can’t tell when a male pretends to be
a female or a 50 year old pretends to be a 15 year
old.
- Use netiquette
Be polite to others online as you would offline. If
someone treats you rudely, or is mean, you
should not respond. Chances are that the bully will see that they
are having no effect, and stop the abusive
messages. If not, and the abusive messages continue, seek help
from a teacher, parent or guardian.
- Never send messages when angry
Wait until you have calmed down and had time to think.
Do your best to make sure that your messages
are calmly and factually written. You will usually regret sending
an angry message, otherwise known as a
flame, to someone later on. Once you’ve sent a message, it’s
extremely difficult to undo the damage that such
flames can do.
- Never open a message from someone you don’t
know
Delete strange emails or text messages
from people you don’t know. If in doubt, seek advice from
a teacher, parent or guardian.
- If it doesn’t look or feel right, it probably
isn’t
Trust your instincts. If you ever see
anything on the Internet, or receive
an email or text message that makes you
feel uncomfortable, switch off the computer
or phone and seek advice from a teacher,
parent or guardian.
- You don’t have to be ‘always on’ – turn
off, disconnect, unplug
Give yourself a break. Don’t stay online for
too long. Spend time with your families and friends
offline.
- Don’t reply to messages from cyberbullies
Even though you may really want to, this is exactly
what cyberbullies want. They want
to know that they’ve
got you worried and upset. Don’t give them
that pleasure.
- Protect yourself
Never arrange to meet someone you have met online.
- Don’t keep bullying to yourself
You are not alone! Tell an adult you know and trust.
They can help you combat the
cyberbully.
Developing school policies
Schools should develop policies and good practice for dealing with cases of online
bullying in the same way that they would deal with any other cases of bullying.
Anti-bullying statements should also be incorporated in an acceptable use policy
(AUP). Effective education and awareness of the issues, for pupils and staff
alike, can also help to reduce the risks and provide an open culture where bullying
of this nature can be freely reported and discussed.
Sources of further information
and advice
Anti Bullying Network
Established by the Scottish Executive, the Anti Bullying Network exists so that
teachers, parents and young people can share ideas about how bullying can be
tackled. Although the Network primarily deals with enquiries from within Scotland,
the resources within the site are freely available to all.
http://www.antibullying.net/
Be Safe Online
A general Internet safety Web site which also provides
information on bullying by email, over the Internet
and by text messaging.
http://www.besafeonline.org/English/bullying_online.htm
Bullying Online
An online help and advice service combating all forms
of bullying. It contains sections for teachers, parents
and pupils, and has specific information on staying
safe in cyberspace, mobile phone bullying, and abusive
emails and Web sites.
http://www.bullying.co.uk/
www.bullying.org – Where
You Are NOT Alone
A Web site dedicated to increasing the awareness of,
and the problems associated with, bullying and preventing,
resolving and eliminating bullying in society.
http://www.bullying.org/
ChildLine
The ChildLine Web site provides general information on bullying, including
information sheets for teachers and professionals working with young people.
http://www.childline.org.uk/
Childnet International
Childnet International is a children’s charity committed to helping to
make the Internet a safe place for children. Their Web site provides some useful
information and resources.
http://www.childnet-int.org/
www.cyberbullying.ca – Always On? Always
Aware!
From the creator of www.bullying.org, this Web site is wholly concerned with
the issues of cyberbullying. Although Canadian in origin, it provides useful
examples, guidance and advice in combating online bullying wherever it occurs.
http://www.cyberbullying.ca/
Don’t suffer in silence
This Web site supports the anti-bullying campaign. It provides access to an
anti-bullying pack for schools which gives guidance on dealing with bullying
by text messages via mobile phones.
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying/
Internet Super Heroes
Marvel super heroes such as Spider-man and the Hulk have joined forces with
WiredSafety.org to teach children and young people worldwide about safe, private
and responsible surfing. The site includes a large section on cyberbullying,
flaming and cyberstalking, with additional information for parents and teachers.
http://www.Internetsuperheroes.org/cyberbullying/
I-Safe
I-Safe is a non-profit Internet safety
foundation designed to bring Internet safety education
and awareness to the youth of this country.
http://www.isafe.org/
Kidscape
The Kidscape Web site is a general bullying resource, with specific information
on cyberbullying aimed at children and young people.
http://www.kidscape.org.uk/
NCH IT OK
This Web site promotes safe and equal Internet access for young children, including
information on online bullying. The site also provides further information
on the NCH survey (2002) which found that one in four children in the UK are
bullied or threatened via their mobile phone or online.
http://www.nch.org.uk/itok/
School Bully OnLine
The Web site of the UK National Bullying Advice Line, which provides information
on bullying by mobile phone, with content specifically aimed at children.
http://www.bullyonline.org/schoolbully/mobile.htm
Stoptextbully
The NCH's Web site on text bullying is to help young people, parents/guardians
and teachers with dealing with this problem.
http://www.stoptextbully.com
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