C Y B E R B U L L Y I N G

 

Cyberbullying is sending or posting harmful or cruel text or images using the Internet or other digital communication devices.

 

☼ Taking humiliation to a frightening level.

 

☼ Cyberbullying reaches its peak in middle school.

 

☼ Kids feel free to say things that they would never say face-to-face.

 

☼ Hiding behind the anonymity of the Internet

 

☼ Able to hurl threats or damage fragile egos, usually without being caught.

 

☼ Everything from the Internet to iPods, from camera phones to camcorders.

 

☼ Law enforcement officials are still sorting out the legal technicalities.

 

☼ Internet means that a cyberbully can reach millions with the click of a mouse.

 

Frightening Statistics

 

♦ In 2005, all the cases of cyberbullying reported, were split into different levels of abuse.

 

-         40% disrespected

-         25% believed it was a joke

-         18% were called names

-         12% were physically threatened

-         5% were scared for their safety

 

♦ Out of all the bullying that takes place, 20% of it is done electronically.

♦ 73% knew the bully, 27% stated that it was a stranger.

♦ 38% report the incidences to parents or teachers.

♦ 41% told a friend.  28% didn’t tell anyone.

♦ All of these statistics have been on a rise each year.

 

Education can help considerably in preventing and dealing with the consequences of cyberbullying.  We need to address ways they can to be accountable for their actions and not to stand by and allow bullying (in any form) to be acceptable!