"Cyber bullying" is when a child,
preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or
otherwise targeted by another child.
Cyber bullying is
the use of information Technology to repeatedly harm or harass other people in
a deliberate manner. Cyber-bullying could be limited to posting rumors
or gossips about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other’s
minds; or it may go to the extent of personally identifying victims and
publishing materials severely defaming and humiliating them.
With the
increase in use of these technologies, cyberbullying has become increasingly
common, especially among teenagers. Awareness has also risen, due in part to
high-profile cases.
Cyber bullying can take place on social media sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.
“By 2008, 93% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 were online. In
fact, youth spend more time with media than any single other activity besides sleeping.”
There are many risks attached to social media cites, and cyber bullying is one
of the larger risks. One million children were harassed, threatened or
subjected to other forms of cyber bullying on Facebook during the past year,
while 90% of social media-using teens who have witnessed online cruelty say
they have ignored mean behavior on social media, and 35% have done this
frequently. 95% of social media-using teens who have witnessed cruel behavior
on social networking sites say they have seen others ignoring the mean
behavior, and 55% witness this frequently.
Facts About Cyber Bullying
- Spread lies and rumors about victims
- Trick people into revealing personal information
- Send or forward mean text messages
- Post pictures of victims without their consent
·
80% of teens use a cell phone
regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying.
·
68% of teens agree that cyber
bullying is a serious problem.
·
81% of young people think bullying
online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.
Symptoms can include:
- Excessive computer use
- Troubled sleep or nightmares
- Depression
- Anti-social behavior
- Anxiety after using the computer
- Not answering their mobile phone or checking messages
What to do next:
- Move your family computer to a public place so you can monitor the times they're online, and their anxiety levels
- Contact the police if the messages are threatening.
In the event your child has been a victim of cyberbullying, parents can seek assistance from the following services:
