STEPHAN POTGIETER CIPP, CIPP/ITCyber Bullying

What is cyber bullying ?It is when a child targets another child using technology with the intent to hurt or embarrass that child

How cyber bullying works• Instant Messaging• Blogs• Web sites• Sending Pictures through

email and mms• Impersonation

Why do kids cyber bully?• Who knows why kids do anything?• Entertainment• Boredom• To get a Reaction• Revenge

Tips for Children• Don’t respond

Your reaction is what the bully wants – don’t give it to them

• Don’t retaliateGetting even just makes you a bully too and generates a cycle of aggression

• Talk to an adult you trustTalk to a parent or a teacher. If you are not confortable speaking to an adult, try to report the behaviour anonymously at school

• Save the evidenceOne good thing about cyber bullying is that the evidence can be saved and shown to someone who may be able to help

• Don’t be a passive bystanderIf you get a hurtful message about someone else, don’t forward it along. Let the person who sent it to you know that what they’re doing is not okay, or report it.

Signs of Cyber Bullying• Avoiding the computer or cell phone• Appearing stressed out when receiving text messages or

other communications• Avoiding conversations about computer or phone use• Withdrawing from social life• Declining grades and avoidance of school• Lack of sleep or eating• Any changes in emotions and behaviour

Internet Golden Rules• Make sure you are sending things to the right place• Is it worth sending? Don’t waste peoples’ time or

bandwidth with junk!• Don’t attack others online• Don’t forward other people’s emails without their

permission or share their personal information• Are you angry when you are writing this message?• How private is the message you are sending?

Facts about Cyber bullying• 42% of teenagers have been cyber bullied• 53% of kids admit to saying something hurtful online• 58% of kids did not report an incidence of cyber bullying

to an adult• Victims of cyber bullying are twice as likely to attempt

suicide

Examples of Cyber Bullying• Sending a harmful text message to someone’s cell phone• Sending a threatening email to someone• Entering malicious messages in a Web site’s guestbook• Spreading gossip on an online chat room• Uploading humiliating video clips• Sending hateful instant messages• Conducting online voting polls of classmates• Taking unkind pictures of someone and posting it on the

internet.

Cyber Bullying StoriesLast year in grade 7 I had this problem with this one girl she always posted nasty comments on my Facebook pictures so i got mad and tried ignoring it for a while because i was too scared to tell and adult because i thought it would get worse....so after 3 months passed i just didn't respond then it got to this one point where i couldn't take it and that was in grade 8 when she came up to my locker and said if i told anyone she had everything on me ......i couldn't handle it anymore with all the pushing and rude comments so i told the principal now its November 2010 and she still gives me dirty looks but its better than pushing me .......if any of you ever get bullied like that don't be afraid to tell an adult like i was take a stand and stop bullying now!

Resources• http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov• http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/• http://www.e4africa.co.za• http://www.privacyonline.co.za

Thank You