Cyberbullying
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet or mobiles to deliberately upset someone else. This is a form of bullying and you shouldn’t have to put up with it.
How is it different to normal bullying?
By using technology like mobiles or the internet, this type of bullying can affect someone not just at school, but at home as well. Because it takes place in the virtual world, it has a 24/7 nature and can make someone feel upset or threatened in their own home.
It can sometimes be hard to identify who the cyberbully is because they could block their number or post things on a website anonymously. The nature of this type of bullying means it can have a large audience, many of whom may not even realise they are being bullies.
A positive thing about this kind of bullying is that it can be evidenced. With normal bullying, it can be one person’s word against another’s, but with cyberbullying you can save texts or print our emails / IM’s / WebPages. This can be used as proof to catch the bully and stop them upsetting someone; this could be you or a friend..
Advice if you think you’re being cyberbullied….
- Save all evidence you have of the bullying. If you have nasty emails or things posted on your profile save them to your machine so you can use it as proof. Save texts or voicemails that say anything horrible.
- Learn how to block the bully on IM or delete them from your contacts.
- Try not to reply or retaliate to things they say or do; it might make the situation worse. If you don’t respond, they are more likely to get bored and move on.
- If you are being bothered via text, contact your service provider. Each network has a special area for this sort of problem. Check out their website or call them for advice or a free number change.
- Tell an adult you trust about the cyberbullying. This could be a parent or carer, a teacher at your school, an aunt or uncle. If you tell someone they can help make it stop. The evidence you have saved can then be passed onto the adult you have told.
If you feel you can’t talk to someone just yet, call Childline in confidence on 0800 1111.
Advice if you think someone else is being cyberbullied…
- Don’t participate in forwarding pictures, messages or insults about a person. You may think it is a joke, but you could be really upsetting the person involved and even commiting a crime! To look at or forward this sort of stuff means you are contributing to cyberbullying.
- Standing back and letting it happen can be just as bad. If you are worried that someone is getting threatened or hurt by others, offer them support or inform an adult you trust so they can help make it stop.
- Always respect other people and be aware of what you’re sending and receiving whilst online.
Things to remember….
- Save any evidence of cyberbullying.
- Do not forward offensive messages, emails or links.
- Tell an adult you trust if you are being cyberbullied or aware of it.