Cyberbullying and sexting are serious issues that can have devastating social and emotional consequences. Cyberbullying involves harassing or humiliating others online through social media, texts, or other internet activities. Sexting means creating and sending explicit images or videos of oneself or others, which is illegal for those under 18 in the UK. If someone experiences cyberbullying or inappropriate messages, they should keep evidence, report the abuse online or to a trusted adult, and seek help through resources like Childline if needed.

1. Cyberbullying
and Sexting
Cyberbullying
and Sexting
www.wisekids.org.uk
There is no escape as the
perpetrators can send text
messages or post comments
at any time of the day. It can
also be difficult to work out
who is sending the messages.
Some young people have also been involved in ‘sexting’ incidents – i.e., using their
mobile phones, cameras or webcams to create and send explicit images and videos of
themselves or their boyfriend or girlfriend. This is illegal in the UK and a prosecutable
offence if the images/videos are of anyone below 18. Do tell your friends about this!
The social and emotional consequences of these actions can also be devastating!
So what can you do?
Social networks, chat, messenger, texts, gaming and other Internet activities are great
when used positively! Unfortunately, in a small number of cases, these technologies
have been used to harass and humiliate others. This is what is meant by
‘cyberbullying’ and can be awful for several reasons:
Due to the public and viral
nature of the Internet, this
negative content can also be
spread easily, using YouTube,
Facebook and even
technologies like Bluetooth.
Others who view this content
can also store or make copies
of it, so you can’t take it back.
In some cases, such content is
used to make fake profiles or
false websites of the victims!
• Never share or forward these messages but keep them as evidence. In the UK, there have
been cases where young people have been prosecuted for cyberbullying
• If a false profile has been set up, or if someone is posting nasty comments or messages
online, you can report this using the ‘Report Abuse’ function available on the websites
themselves. Many companies like Facebook will act quickly to remove the offending content
or account. For more information see: http://www.facebook.com/safety and
http://www.google.com/support/youtube
• If you come across any incidents of bullying/cyberbullying, or if you yourself receive any nasty
or harassing messages block the sender (where possible) and speak to your parents or a
trusted adult immediately. You may want to ask your parents to speak to your school teacher
if the bullying involves other children from school. The CyberMentors website also provides
good support: http://www.cybermentors.org.uk
• If you or someone you know has been receiving inappropriate sexual messages/ content, you
can report this to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP):
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Ceop-Report. If you yourself have got involved in a sexting
incident, talk to your parents or a trusted adult. It is easy to get tricked into doing things online,
so don’t be afraid to get help. You can also speak to someone in Childline on 0800-1111.
Remember if someone’s life is in danger, contact the police immediately!
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