Cyber bullying

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is any form of bullying which is done over digital devices like phones, computers and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

 

Effects of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying affects people from any age, including children, teens and adults who all feel very distressed and alone when being bullied online.  Cyber bullying can make you feel totally overwhelmed which can result in many feeling embarrassed that they are going through such a devastating time, and not knowing what support is available to them.  Many children feel unable to confide in an adult because they feel ashamed and wonder whether they will be judged, told to ignore it or close their account which they might not want to do.

 

How to support someone being bullied

• Let them know that no one deserves to be treated in this way and that they have done nothing wrong
• Ensure that they know that there is help available to them
• Encourage them to talk to a teacher that they trust so they feel they have somewhere safe at school to go to
• Encourage them to talk to their parents/carers and if this isn’t possible to write a letter or speak to another family member
• Take screenshots of the cyberbullying so that they have proof this is happening
• Report all abuse to the relevant social media networks by clicking on the “report abuse” button
• Keep a diary so they have somewhere safe and private to write down their innermost thoughts and feelings which will help to avoid feelings bottling up
• Give praise for being so brave and talking things through which will hopefully empower them to take responsibility and get help
• Ask the school if they have a School Liaison Police Officer that can help in this situation and talk to the school about the dangers and effects

 

How to stay safe online

When you join a chatroom you’ll find people are very friendly but the person you are talking to might not always be who they say they are. People can pretend to be your age and unfortunately, there have been cases where adults have pretended to be teenagers and lured young people into meeting them in dangerous situations. Some of these cases have ended up in court in the UK.

 

Tips for staying safe

• Never give out your real name
• Never tell anyone where you go to school
• Only meet someone from a chatroom in a public place with one of your parents or another adult. If they are genuinely who they say they are they will be happy to do this
• Never give out your address or telephone number
• Never agree to meet anyone from a chatroom on your own
• Tell an adult if someone makes inappropriate suggestions to you or makes you feel uncomfortable online

 

Danger signs

• If the person tries to insist on having your address or phone number
• If the person emails you pictures which make you feel uncomfortable and which you would not want to show to anyone else
• If the person wants to keep their chats with you secret
• If the person tells you that you will get into trouble if you tell an adult what has been going on
• If the person emails you pictures which make you feel uncomfortable and which you would not want to show to anyone else
• If the person wants you to email them pictures of yourself or use a webcam in a way which makes you feel uncomfortable
• If the person shares information with you and tells you not to tell anyone else about it
• If the person wants to meet you and tells you not to let anyone know
• If you find any of these danger signs it’s important that you tell your parents or another adult.

 

Jessica Cuthbertson
Canvey Yellow Door Volunteer

Other information

https://www.virginmedia.com/blog/online-safety/cyber-security-quiz/