CYBERBULLYINGCYBERBULLYINGINFORMATION AND PREVENTIONINFORMATION AND PREVENTION

August 2009

Internet UsageInternet UsageMillions of children under the age of 18 Millions of children under the age of 18 use the internet daily in the United use the internet daily in the United States. States.

Children use the Internet to email Children use the Internet to email friends, create blogs or websites, use friends, create blogs or websites, use chat rooms, and use instant messaging chat rooms, and use instant messaging to do research for school assignments to do research for school assignments and for entertainment.and for entertainment.

Internet DefinitionsInternet DefinitionsBlogBlog: A blog, or web log, is an online : A blog, or web log, is an online website that contains journal and diary website that contains journal and diary entries, photos and other images. entries, photos and other images. Blogs are very popular with teens. Blogs are very popular with teens. Parents should ask their child if they Parents should ask their child if they have created a blog. Some popular have created a blog. Some popular blog websites include Xanga, MySpace, blog websites include Xanga, MySpace, Friendster, Facebook and others. Friendster, Facebook and others. Parents can always ask their child to Parents can always ask their child to show them their blog. show them their blog.

ChatChat: Real time communication : Real time communication between two users via computer. Once between two users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor. appear on the other user's monitor. Most networks and online services Most networks and online services offer a chat feature. offer a chat feature.

Chat RoomChat Room: A virtual room where a : A virtual room where a chat session takes place. chat session takes place.

WebopediaWebopedia

Instant Messaging or IMInstant Messaging or IM: Real time : Real time communication exchanged between two communication exchanged between two people (or more) online using typed people (or more) online using typed words as the form of communicating. words as the form of communicating. Ask your child if they are instant Ask your child if they are instant messaging, and who they IM or chat with messaging, and who they IM or chat with online. Learn what your children are online. Learn what your children are saying online. “Chat lingo” has become saying online. “Chat lingo” has become the new way to communicate. For the new way to communicate. For example, “P911” means parents are example, “P911” means parents are coming. “LMIRL” means let’s meet in coming. “LMIRL” means let’s meet in real life. “PA” means parent alert.real life. “PA” means parent alert.

Internet RisksInternet Risks

While the Internet is useful, it can While the Internet is useful, it can also pose risks. One risk is that of also pose risks. One risk is that of child predators. They use the child predators. They use the Internet to chat with and gain the Internet to chat with and gain the trust of children, and then arrange trust of children, and then arrange meetings with them.meetings with them.

Children can also be exposed to Children can also be exposed to inappropriate content, child inappropriate content, child pornography and harassment pornography and harassment while online. Material on the while online. Material on the internet can be sexual, violent or internet can be sexual, violent or hateful. The material may be hateful. The material may be transmitted to children through transmitted to children through chat rooms, emails or through chat rooms, emails or through the use of instant messaging.the use of instant messaging.

Children may be bullied online. Children may be bullied online. They may receive messages that They may receive messages that are threatening or harassing thru are threatening or harassing thru email, chat rooms, instant email, chat rooms, instant messaging or their cell phones. messaging or their cell phones. A child may be the subject of a A child may be the subject of a demeaning website or web log. demeaning website or web log.

What is Cyberbullying?What is Cyberbullying?

Threatening and intimidating emails Threatening and intimidating emails Harassing and threatening instant Harassing and threatening instant

messages (IM)messages (IM) Sending or posting cruel rumors Sending or posting cruel rumors

about someone to damage their about someone to damage their reputationreputation

Posting inappropriate pictures of Posting inappropriate pictures of someone online (i.e.; locker room someone online (i.e.; locker room pictures)pictures)

Breaking into someone’s account, Breaking into someone’s account, posing as that person, and sending posing as that person, and sending messages that make the person messages that make the person look bad. (This is why it is very look bad. (This is why it is very important for children not to give important for children not to give out their passwords to their out their passwords to their friends). friends).

Websites created to humiliate Websites created to humiliate another studentanother student

How Prevalent is How Prevalent is Cyberbullying?Cyberbullying?

22% of students know someone who 22% of students know someone who has been bullied online. has been bullied online.

19% of students admit to saying 19% of students admit to saying something hurtful to others online. something hurtful to others online.

12% of students have personally 12% of students have personally become upset by strangers online. become upset by strangers online.

2005-06 i-SAFE 2005-06 i-SAFE

pre-assessment survey of 13,000 students in grades 5-12pre-assessment survey of 13,000 students in grades 5-12

Why Do Kids Cyberbully?Why Do Kids Cyberbully?

Many times cyberbullying is an Many times cyberbullying is an extension of bullying that is extension of bullying that is occurring at school. occurring at school.

Sometimes cyberbullying is Sometimes cyberbullying is based on hate or bias. based on hate or bias.

Some children see cyberbullying Some children see cyberbullying as being entertaining. as being entertaining.

When friendships crumble or When friendships crumble or relationships dissolve, one person relationships dissolve, one person may use the Internet to bully the may use the Internet to bully the other person. other person.

Sometimes the cyberbully may be a Sometimes the cyberbully may be a stranger to the victim. Many times stranger to the victim. Many times when people use the Internet, they when people use the Internet, they feel as if they are invisible. They feel as if they are invisible. They will type things online they would will type things online they would not say in public.not say in public.

Effects of BullyingEffects of BullyingA child who is bullied may feel they A child who is bullied may feel they have nowhere to turn. They are have nowhere to turn. They are depressed children whose self-esteem depressed children whose self-esteem will be lowered due to the bullying. will be lowered due to the bullying. These are children who often feel like These are children who often feel like no one cares about them. They may no one cares about them. They may attempt suicide or seek revenge attempt suicide or seek revenge against those who have hurt them, due against those who have hurt them, due to the repeated abuse and torment they to the repeated abuse and torment they receive. receive.

Effects of CyberbullyingEffects of CyberbullyingMany children who are cyberbullied, Many children who are cyberbullied, are also children who are bullied every are also children who are bullied every day in school. These children are day in school. These children are continuously bullied with no apparent continuously bullied with no apparent means of escape for themselves. means of escape for themselves. Many children who are bullied do not Many children who are bullied do not tell their parents or adults, because tell their parents or adults, because they feel that the bullying is their fault they feel that the bullying is their fault or fear retribution. Children may also or fear retribution. Children may also fear losing their computer, if they tell fear losing their computer, if they tell what is happening to them online. what is happening to them online.

Warning Signs a Child is Being Warning Signs a Child is Being Bullied OnlineBullied Online

Frequently has stomachaches or Frequently has stomachaches or headachesheadachesIs depressed or angryIs depressed or angryHas low self-esteemHas low self-esteemIs withdrawn from family, friends or Is withdrawn from family, friends or activitiesactivitiesChildren who are bullied may be Children who are bullied may be students who used to have a great students who used to have a great interest in school but now does not. interest in school but now does not. Grades may decline. Grades may decline.

Children who are cyberbullied may be Children who are cyberbullied may be children who were always “chatting” children who were always “chatting” with their friends online. Suddenly, with their friends online. Suddenly, they have no interest in using the they have no interest in using the Internet. Internet.

They may show fear or distress after They may show fear or distress after using the Internet. using the Internet.

Children who are bullied online may be Children who are bullied online may be hiding information by quickly hiding information by quickly switching computer screens, when switching computer screens, when their parents come into the room. their parents come into the room.

What Can Parents Do if Their What Can Parents Do if Their Child is Bullied Online?Child is Bullied Online?

Parents must be supportive and ask their Parents must be supportive and ask their child about bullying incidents. It is important child about bullying incidents. It is important for parents to let their child know they are for parents to let their child know they are concerned and care about them. concerned and care about them. Parents need to contact the school their child Parents need to contact the school their child attends. Teachers and the school principal attends. Teachers and the school principal should be alerted about bullying incidents. should be alerted about bullying incidents. Parents can also ask teachers and / or Parents can also ask teachers and / or principal, if they have ever observed students principal, if they have ever observed students bullying their child. Many times cyberbullying bullying their child. Many times cyberbullying spills over from school bullying. spills over from school bullying.

Parents and guardians must save the Parents and guardians must save the evidence from cyberbullying. Save evidence from cyberbullying. Save emails and chat sessions. Download emails and chat sessions. Download all web pages. all web pages.

If you do not know who the cyberbully If you do not know who the cyberbully is, contact your Internet Service is, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or another company that Provider (ISP) or another company that will trace the identity of the person will trace the identity of the person online.online.

Change your child’s email address or Change your child’s email address or usernames, or block or filter further usernames, or block or filter further communications from the cyberbully. communications from the cyberbully.

Let the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Let the Internet Service Provider (ISP) know the cyberbullying incidents are know the cyberbullying incidents are occurring. occurring.

If the cyberbullying is occurring If the cyberbullying is occurring through the use of a blog (MySpace, through the use of a blog (MySpace, Friendster, etc.), contact the provider.Friendster, etc.), contact the provider.

If the cyberbullying is about threats, If the cyberbullying is about threats, harassment, obscene messages and harassment, obscene messages and images, sexually explicit images or images, sexually explicit images or hate, contact your local police hate, contact your local police department or the CyberTipline. The department or the CyberTipline. The CyberTipline is national hotline is CyberTipline is national hotline is operated 24-hours a day, 7-days per operated 24-hours a day, 7-days per week online at www.cybertipline.com week online at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.or by calling 1-800-843-5678.

Cyberbullying Prevention Tips Cyberbullying Prevention Tips for Children and Teensfor Children and Teens

Children should never post their full Children should never post their full name, age, address, name of their name, age, address, name of their school or any other identifying school or any other identifying information online. They should not information online. They should not give out personal information to people give out personal information to people they are “chatting“ with online, if they do they are “chatting“ with online, if they do not know them in real life. Friend’s not know them in real life. Friend’s names, ages, addresses or other names, ages, addresses or other identifying information should not be identifying information should not be posted online. Posting their information posted online. Posting their information puts them at risk. puts them at risk.

Children and teens should not give Children and teens should not give out passwords to anyone but their out passwords to anyone but their parents or guardian.parents or guardian.

The privacy settings of social The privacy settings of social networking sites (MySpace, networking sites (MySpace, Friendster, etc.) should be set so that Friendster, etc.) should be set so that other users can only be added, if the other users can only be added, if the child approves them. child approves them.

Teens should not allow other Teens should not allow other Internet users to read their blog or Internet users to read their blog or site, if they do not know them.site, if they do not know them.

Users should not be added to Users should not be added to Instant Messaging lists unless the Instant Messaging lists unless the child knows them in “real life.”child knows them in “real life.”

Teens should not respond to Teens should not respond to inappropriate and lewd comments. inappropriate and lewd comments. They should report anything they see They should report anything they see or receive online, that makes them feel or receive online, that makes them feel uncomfortable, to their parents, uncomfortable, to their parents, guardian or other trusted adult. guardian or other trusted adult. Parents can then contact local Internet Parents can then contact local Internet service providers, local law service providers, local law enforcement or the CyberTipline.enforcement or the CyberTipline.

For More InformationFor More Information

Netsmartz (from the National Center Netsmartz (from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children® for Missing and Exploited Children® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America), and Boys & Girls Clubs of America), www.netsmartz.orgwww.netsmartz.org

i-SAFE, i-SAFE, www.i-safe.orgwww.i-safe.org

Center for Safe and Responsible Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, Internet Use, www.cyberbully.orgwww.cyberbully.org

Play it Cyber Safe, Play it Cyber Safe, www.playitcybersafe.comwww.playitcybersafe.com

Missouri State Technical Missouri State Technical Assistance TeamAssistance Team

Address:Address: PO Box 208PO Box 208

Jefferson City, MO Jefferson City, MO 65102-020865102-0208

Telephone: Telephone: (573) 751-5980(573) 751-5980(800) 487-1626(800) 487-1626(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday) Monday – Friday)

Email:Email:    dls.stat@dss.mo.govdls.stat@dss.mo.gov