{Cyberbullying

New Platform, Old Problem

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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…

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

locations.

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

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

McAfee

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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.

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

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Source: http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2012/10/12/bc_victim_of_cyberbullying_commits_suicide/amanda_toddsuicide.jpeg.size.xxlarge.letterbox.jpeg

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

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

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Photo by Marsmett Tallahassee (flickr)

Digital natives have a difficult time distinguishing between harmless

jokes and harmful threats

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

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

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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., & Tippett, 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.

 • https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-cyber-

bullying • http://definetheline.ca/dtl/cyberbullying-in-canada/

• http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2012/10/12/bc_victim_of_cyberbullying_commits_suicide/amanda_toddsuicide.jpeg.size.xxlarge.letterbox.jpeg

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