Transcript What Parents Need to Know about Cyber

What Parents Need to Know
about Cyber-Bullying
Megan E. Doyle, M.S.
School Psychologist
St. John’s University
What is Cyber-Bullying (CB)?
Willful and repeated harm inflicted among
minors through the medium of electronic text
 Being ignored, disrespected, called names,
threatened, picked on, made fun of, having
rumors spread by others
 CB mediums:
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Internet websites, blogs, chat rooms, email, instant
messaging (IM), text messaging, voicemail, camera
phones, social networking websites (e.g., Facebook,
Myspace)
Forms of Cyber-bullying
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Flaming
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Harassment
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Sending mean and insulting messages over and over
until the victim feels humiliated, embarrassed and fearful
Denigration or Dissing
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Online fights using angry and vulgar language
Posting rumors and gossip to hurt reputations or cause
friendship problems
Outing
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Sharing someone’s secrets such as passwords or
embarrassing information
Forms of Cyber-Bullying
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Impersonation
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Trickery
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Tricking someone into disclosing secrets then sharing
them online
Exclusion
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Pretending to be someone else and sending
damaging messages as that person
Purposefully and cruelly excluding another from an
online group
Cyberstalking
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Repeated and intense harassment that includes
threats and creates significant fear in the victim
Who are the bullies and victims?
Cyber-bullies and victims are a new, littleknown group
 No differences for gender or race
 Grade
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 Peak
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in middle school
Bullies often become victims
Victims of Cyber-Bullying
Nearly 3 out of 4 teens report being
bullied online at least once in a 12-month
period
 Only 1 out of 10 report being victimized to
parents or other adults
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 Teens
fear parents will restrict internet access
Often occurs at home with peers from
school
 73% know who was doing the bullying
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Effects of CB Victimization
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Anger
Frustration
Sadness
Effects of traditional bully victimization
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Anger
Depression
Anxiety
School avoidance
Smoking
Poor academic performance
Fewer friends
Loneliness
Low self-worth
Peer rejection
Depression in adulthood
Signs Your Child is a CB Victim
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Appearing upset after using the computer or cell
phone
Withdrawing from social events with peers
Spending less time on the internet or cell phone
Irritability
Sadness
Withdrawal
Lack of interest in activities
School refusal
Change in grades
Change in eating/sleeping patterns
What can parents do?
Prevention
Maintain open communication with
children
 Set time and content limits on computer
use
 Sign an internet usage agreement
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 http://www.cyberangels.org/docs/agreement.
pdf
Keep the computer in a public family area
 Limit bells and whistles on cell phones
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What can parents do?
Prevention
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Ask questions
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Do you have a profile?
Where do you go online?
Ask them to teach you how to use the computer
 Partner with your children’s schools by supporting
their policies
 Search your child’s name
 Remember!
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Children must earn your trust
Your computer may have parental controls, but your
neighbor’s may not
What to look for...
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Social networking websites
 Myspace.com,
Facebook.com
 Used for building and maintaining peer
relationships
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Video websites
 Youtube.com
 Used
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for self-expression
IM, text language
 Used
for communication
 Netlingo.org
What can parents do?
Intervention
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Must find out:
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Getting your reaction just right
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Risk of physical assault
Emotional effects of the CB7
They are afraid you will overreact by revoking
computer privileges, telling other parents or the
school, getting the bully in trouble
But don’t “underreact,” for there are serious
implications so there should be consequences
It’s OK to say NO!
What can parents do?
Intervention
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Don’t wait until you get the phone bill!
You are legally responsible for what your child
does on your computer or cell phone
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Computer seizure
Loss of internet
Criminal or civil charges
Enlist the help of your school
Contact authorities if a law has been broken
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Threats
What to Tell Your Children
Never tell anyone your password
 Save or print any harassing messages
 Change your screen name
 Block senders/restrict profiles
 Don’t accept online “friendship” from
strangers
 Never respond to a bully
 Tell a parent, teacher, or other adult
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What to tell your children
No computer or cell phone is truly
anonymous
 Teachers, colleges, and employers check
websites for inappropriate text and photos
 Don’t post identifying information online
 Don’t post updates about your itinerary
 Don’t give details about your interests or
the activities you do
 Think before you type!
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What can schools do?
Monitor internet usage in school
 Set policies regarding internet usage in
school
 Set clear limits and enforce them
 Implement a bullying
prevention/intervention program
 Periodically evaluate interventions
 Educate students and faculty about cyberbullying
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Resources
Wiredsafety.org
 Stopcyberbullying.org
 Cyberangels.org
 Netlingo.org
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References
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Beran, T., & Li, Q. (2005). Cyber-harassment: A study of a new method for an old behavior.
Journal of Educational Computing Research, 32. 265-277.
Espelage, D.L. & Swearer, S.M. (2003). Research on school bullying and victimizaton: What have
we learned and where do we go from here? School Psychology Review, 32. 365-383.
Hodges, E.V.E.. & Perry, D.G. (1996). Victims of peer abuse: An overview. Journal of Emotional
and Behavioral Problems, 5. 23-28.
Juvonen, J. (2008). Journal of School Health.
Nansel, T.R., Overpeck, M., Pilla, R.S., Ruan, W.J., Simons-Morton, B., & Scheidt, P. (2001).
Bullying behaviors among US youth: Prevalence and association with psychosocial adjustment.
Journal of the American Medical Association, 285. 2094-2100.
Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Patchin, J.W., & Hinduja, S. (2006). Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: A preliminary look at
cyberbullying. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4. 148-169.
Rodkin, P.C., & Hodges, E. (2003). Bullies and victims in the peer ecology: Four questins for
psychologists and school professionals. School Psychology Review, 32. 384-400.
Willard, N. (2006). Educator’s guide to cyber bulllying and cyber threats: Responding to the
challenge of online social cruelty, threats, and distress. Center for Safe and Responsible Use of
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