{ Cyberbullying

New  Platform,  Old  Problem

By:  Ilana  Solomons

Photo  by  Jinterwas  (flickr)

Cyberbullying is defined as…

“tormenting, threatening, harassing, or embarrassing another using the internet or other technologies.” - dosomething.org

Thanks to our ability to hide behind our screens…

Photo  by  Mervi  Eskelinen  (flickr)

Photo  by  Paree  (flickr)

…cyberbullies have an easier time remaining anonymous, or secure from separate locations.

Photo  by  Beedie  Savage  (flickr)

Many kids who are underage have their parents set up social media accounts for them…

Photo  by  mkhmarketing  (flickr)

…allowing them to enter an environment in which they may be “out of their depth” - McAfee

Photo  by  spDuchamp  (flickr)

Cyberbullying is less frequent then traditional bullying…

… and occurs most often outside of the school…

… causing victims to feel that they are trapped, with no safe haven.

Photo  by  Thomas  Ricker  (flickr)

One of the major concerns of cyberbullying is its link to suicidal ideation

Photo  by  madamepsychosis  (flickr)

Source:  hLp://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2012/10/12/bc_victim_of_cyberbullying_commits_ suicide/amanda_toddsuicide.jpeg.size.xxlarge.leLerbox.jpeg

Photo  by  Melissa  Brewer  (flickr)

Photo  by  Kid-­‐‑Josh  (flickr)

Only one out of ten victims will alert someone to the abuse…

Photo  by  MarsmeL  Tallahassee  (flickr)

… while 90% of teens who have seen social media bullying say they have ignored it.

Photo  by  Ani-­‐‑Bee  (flickr)  

Photo  by  MarsmeL  Tallahassee  (flickr)

Digital natives have a difficult time distinguishing between harmless jokes

and harmful threats

Photo  by  tfaltings.de  (flickr)  

Photo  by  Siebuhr  (flickr)

It is paramount that parents and educators are teaching youth about what constitutes cyberbullying, and how to deal with it should it ever occur

Photo  by  Elana  Centor  (flickr)  

It’s especially important to make people aware of the resources available

Photo  by  Kate  Hannon  (flickr)

Photo  by  John  Crider  (flickr)  

To prevent cyberbullying, we must all take a stand and strive towards a future in which the online

world is a safe place for all

Sources  used •  Smith,  P.  K.,  Mahdavi,  J.,  Carvalho,  M.,  Fisher,  S.,  Russell,  S.,  &  

TippeL,  N.  (2008).  Cyberbullying:  Its  nature  and  impact  in  secondary  school  pupils.  Journal  of  Child  Psychology  and  Psychiatry,  49(4),  376-­‐‑385.

  •  Hinduja,  S.,  &  Patchin,  J.  W.  (2010).  Bullying,  cyberbullying,  and  

suicide.  Archives  of  Suicide  Research,  14(3),  206-­‐‑221.   •  hLps://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-­‐‑facts-­‐‑about-­‐‑cyber-­‐‑bullying   •  hLp://definetheline.ca/dtl/cyberbullying-­‐‑in-­‐‑canada/ •  hLp://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/

2012/10/12/bc_victim_of_cyberbullying_commits_suicide/amanda_toddsuicide.jpeg.size.xxlarge.leLerbox.jpeg

•  Images  taken  via  flickr.com  (creative  commons  license)