This document discusses the issue of cyberbullying among teenagers. It defines cyberbullying as using electronic communication to deliberately harass or threaten others repeatedly. Common forms of cyberbullying include sending harmful messages, posts, or images via cell phones, the internet, or social media. The document notes that cyberbullying affects many teens and can have serious psychological and legal consequences. It provides advice for teens, parents, schools, and authorities on how to respond to and prevent cyberbullying.

1. Cyberbullying
Bullying Goes High Tech
Jim Masucci
November 10, 2010
“It’s one thing when you get made fun of at
school, but to be bullied in your own home, via
your computer, is a disgusting thing for people to
do.” Sixteen year old from Alabama

2. What is Cyberbullying?
Being cruel to others by sending or posting
harmful material using technological means
An individual or group that uses
information and communication involving
electronic technologies to facilitate
deliberate and repeated harassment or
threats to an individual or group.
Also known as:
‘Electronic Bullying’ &
‘Online Social Cruelty’

3. Tools for Cyberbullying
 Cell Phones – calls
or messages
 Internet
 Electronic Mail
 Instant Messaging
 Blogs
 Social Networks
 Chat Rooms
 Defamatory Web
Sites (Polling)

4. Why Cyberbullying?
The Internet has become a way of life
for most teens, and an easy tool
for harassing others.
91% of 12 – 15 year olds use the
Internet
99% of teens 16 – 18 use the Internet
Available 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk
Victim is a perpetual target

5. Why Cyberbullying? (cont)
Traditional bullying – the bully is
usually stronger than his or her
victim either physically or
socially. Usually occurs in the
school setting (classroom,
playground, or bus).
Cyberbullying - Internet tends to
level the playing field, affording
less dominant teens the means
they need to bully others.
Sometimes used in revenge for
traditional bullying.

6. How Big a Problem Is It?
 42% of teens surveyed admitted to being
bullied on-line
 35% claim to have been threatened.
 53% confessed to having said something
mean or hurtful on-line. (I-Safe 2007)
 More girls than boys are cyberbullied.
 For teens that are regular visitors to
social networking sites, the chances of
them being cyberbullied goes up.
 Only 15% of parents knew what
cyberbullying was

7. Types of Cyberbullies
 Avenging Angel - use technical means to get
back at someone who has been bullying them,
or one of their friends.
 Power Hungry - Closest to traditional school
yard bully. Tends to feel superior, and exerts his
or her strengths over the victim.

8. Types of Cyberbullies (cont.)
 Mean Girls - Work in
groups, and need an
audience to play to. The
group tends to approve
of the actions, or do
nothing about them.
 Inadvertent Bully –
Probably don’t even
realize they are doing
something wrong. Ex :
passing on gossip or
pictures or answering
polls.

9. Forms of Cyberbullying
 Flaming – Saying mean or hurtful things
 Harassment and cyberstalking - repeated
actions such as sending messages, or threats to
a victim.
 Denigration – putting someone down
 Outing – spreading secret or embarrassing
information or pictures
 Exclusion - intentionally excluding a person by
leaving them off of the list.
 Impersonation – pretending to be someone else

10. Cyberbullying – It’s Illegal
All of the following forms of cyberbulling
can lead to arrest & prosecution:
 Making threats of violence to people or
their property
 Making obscene or harassing phone
calls
 Harassment or stalking
 Hate or bias crimes
 Creating or sending sexually explicit
images of teens
 Posting real or doctored photos of
someone without their permission
 Taking a photo of someone in place
where privacy expected

11. Impacts of Cyberbullying
 Feelings of guilt or self
blame
 Sleep difficulties
 Poor performance in
school
 Violence against
tormentors. Victims are
8X more likely to bring a
weapon to school
 Suicide

12. What Should You Do?
Teens
 Do not respond in a similar
manner. Block the screen names if
possible.
 Do not forward anything
 Do not delete messages
 Consult an adult
 Safeguard user ID’s and
passwords.
“A password is like a tooth brush.
Choose a good one, and don’t
share it.” (Yahoo Security Center)

13. What Should You Do?
Parents
 Take the situation seriously,
and be supportive.
 Don’t blame the victim.
 Increase tech awareness.
 Monitor computer use.
(Software & placement of
computer)
 Contact ISP and cell phone
provider. Contact law
enforcement, if threatened.

14. What Should You Do?
Teachers and Schools
If the incident occurs during
school, investigate and
respond.
Otherwise :
 Respond if the incident
causes disruptions.
 Provide counseling to the
perpetrators and the
victims
 Develop anti-bulllying
programs to educate
students

15. Teach Our Children
 All actions have consequences
 Cyber bullying hurts
 They are just being used and
manipulated by cyber bully
 Cyber bully and accomplices
often become the target of
cyber bullying themselves
 Care about others and stand
up for what’s right

16. Legal Issues for Schools
 Privacy Issue – Does a school have the right to
search a student’s computer for evidence.
 Free Speech Issue – Does the school have the
right to discipline a student for remarks published
on the Internet during non-school hours.

17. Sexting
Sending sexually suggestive messages or images to
others via cell phone, or posting them on social
websites.
Surveys of teenagers :
- 20 percent have sent or posted picture of themselves
- 40 percent of teenagers have sent sexually
suggestive messages.
- More girls than boys
Technology is much more far-reaching and permanent,
and teenagers are not consequential thinkers . . . They

18. Sexting – Legal
Consequenses
Worst Case scenario
 Possession or distribution of Child
Pornography
 Possible inclusion on sex offenders
registry.
More likely
 Suspension or expulsion from school.
 Probation and attend counseling

19. Additional Sources
http://www.scottmcleod.net/ties2006
http://www.stopcyberbulling.com
http://www.nertsmartz.org
http://www.isafe.org