Cyber Bullying
"All cruelty springs from weakness."
(Seneca, 4BC-AD65)
What is cyber bullying?
Bullies are those people who gain gratification (a sense of happiness) when they have provoked or tormented others. They feel better by making others feel worse. Cyber bullies are those bullies who use the Internet to knock others down. Email provides one method of communication for these bullies. Flame mail – mail designed to make the other person mad – is used along with hate mail – mail that shows racism, sexism, or other prejudices. Another way bullies use the Internet is through bulletin boards and chat sites to make their comments public. Finally, some cyber bullies build websites devoted to making a person or persons feel bad.
Prevention Techniques – how to keep from being bullied:
1. Don’t give out private information such as passwords, pins, name, address, phone number, school name, or family and friends' names. This information can be used by bullies and other harmful people on the Internet. Also, don’t exchange pictures or give out your email address to people you meet on the Internet. Ask permission from parents when it is necessary to give such information.
2. Don’t believe everything you see or read online. Sometimes those people who claim to be 15 could be 50.
3. Use Netiquette. Be polite online and others will tend to do the same. If someone does get angry or bullies you, ignore them – online bullies want a reaction just like real bullies.
4. Don’t send a message when you are angry – it is hard to undo things that are said in anger.
5. Delete messages from people you don’t know or people who seem angry or mean.
6. When something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Get out of the site, chat, etc.
What to do if you are being cyber bullied:
1. Tell someone. Don’t keep this to yourself. Tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
2. Don’t open or read messages by cyber bullies.
3. Tell your Internet service provider.
4. Inform the local police.
5. Tell your school if it is school related. All schools are required to have bullying rules and take action.
6. Don’t erase the messages – they may be needed to take action. Instead put them in a folder unread.
7. Stay protected – never agree to meet with the person or with anyone you meet online.
8. If bullied through chat or instant messaging, the “bully” can often be blocked.
Profile of a bully:
1. A bully wants Power, Control, Domination, and Subjugation.
2. Bullies are most accepted in middle school. In high school they typically only associate with other bullies while in elementary, physical dominance isn’t as noticeable.
3. Bullies can be either girls or boys. Boys tend to use physical domination while girls use gossip and rumors.
4. Bullies tend to perceive slights – other people staring, talking, or not respecting which they feel justifies their aggression.
5. Bullying is NOT outgrown. Those who demonstrate those characteristics tend to grow up more violent and commit more crimes.
6. Bullies have more aggressive instincts and do not show remorse for actions.
7. Bullies do not accept responsibility for their behaviors.
8. For the bully, it is about power and the need to feel in control, to win.
Help Yourself:
1. Give off the attitude that you are someone special. Take confidence in yourself.
2. Get involved in activities to meet new people with your interests. Ex. Join a club, take martial arts, do charity work
3. Don’t take revenge. Know that by turning the other shoulder you are better then them.
4. Communicate self-confidence: look people in the eye, stand up straight, and speak clearly.
*Bullying is defined as a CRIMINAL ACT for those over the age of twelve.