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CYBER BULLYING �

What is Cyberbullying?

Ø Use of technology to threaten and harass

Ø Faceless & emotionless

Ø  Stealing passwords, posting images, lies, hurtful messages, relational aggression

Ø Can be more hurtful and harmful than face to face bullying

Ø Creates a sense of permanence

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www.cyberbullying.us  

Who is At-Risk?

Ø Students §  “Different” kids

q  Autistic – Handicapped q  LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered,

Questioning) q  Foreign – Racial - Religions

§  Anyone….

Ø School Staff §  Cyberbaiting

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Is it Cyberbullying or Online Drama?

Ø Teens often refer to online issues as DRAMA

Ø Drama involves relational aggression

Ø Teens see bully victims as weak or other “stereotypical” individuals

Ø Consider calling it Digital Abuse

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Drama Inspired Abuse

Ø Attempting to meet social needs

Ø Includes Ostracism & Social Exclusion

Ø Being accepted is more satisfying than doing the right thing

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Digital Dating Abuse

Ø  Spying §  Passwords § Checking Texts

Ø  Constant Messaging

Ø  Pressure & Coercion

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www.cyberbullying.us  9

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10 www.cyberbullying.us  

Scars of Digital Abuse

Ø Emotional §  Anxiety §  Anger §  Depression §  Suicide

Ø Educational

Ø Physical

Ø Legal

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What About Cyberbulling Laws?

Ø Freedom of Speech Issues

Ø On – Off Campus Issues

Ø Definition Issues

Ø Reporting Issues

Ø Police Response Issues

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Courts  Response  to  Issues  on  Campus  

Ø Tinker  v.  Des  Moines  Independent  Community  School  District  

Ø Bethel  School  District  #403  v.  Fraser  

Ø Davis  v.  Monroe  County  Board  of  Ed.  

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Why  is  Digital  Abuse  So  Hard  To  Stop?  

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Youth

Adults

Why  is  Digital  Abuse  So  Hard  To  Stop?  

Ø We  are  addressing  it  WRONG  §  Expecting  kids  to  change  just  because  we  tell  them  to  be  nice  

§  Too  much  telling  them  “Don’t…”  §  “Oh,  just  ignore  it”  §  “Kids  are  just  being  kids”  

Ø We  don’t  know  what  to  do  

Ø We  model  poor  behavior  

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In=luence  Toward  Change  of  Culture  

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Youth

Adults

Responding to Digital Abuse?

Ø Respond appropriately or not at all

Ø Don’t pass it on

Ø Don’t encourage others to do it

Ø Don’t gang up on others

Ø Stand together against it

Ø Report it

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Why Won’t Kids Tell?

Ø Tried and no one listened §  Didn’t believe the complaint §  Teacher saw the abuse, said/did nothing §  Told to “just ignore” it

Ø Afraid to make it worse §  Parents want to “fix” things §  Offender gets in trouble, then retaliates §  Reputation as a snitch

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Resources  

www.commonsensemedia.org  

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www.cyberbullying.us  

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www.iKeepSafe.org  

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www.NetSmartz.org  

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www.stopbullying.gov  

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www.whatdoyouchoose.org  

Laramie Consulting 2012

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