What is cyberbullying?
Unfortunately, bullying isn’t new. But for young people growing up in a digital world, cyberbullying is on the rise
Cyberbullying is when someone uses digital means like the internet or a mobile phone to deliberately harass, threaten or humiliate someone else.
Email, social networking sites and mobile phones allow young people to experience social connections in new and exciting ways. But previously safe and fun environments can become a source of anxiety if abused.
Cyberbullying is the most common problem faced by people online, so it’s worth every parent taking the time to familiarise themselves with the problem and what they can do to prevent and respond to it.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying comes in a variety of different forms, including:
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Sending nasty or threatening texts or emails
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Posting abusive messages online - on a social networking site, in a chat room, or using instant messaging (e.g. MSN)
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Posting humiliating videos or pictures online, or sending them on to other people
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Assuming someone else's identity online in order to upset them
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Bad-mouthing or spreading rumours
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Setting up a hate site or a hate group on a social network site
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Prank calling, prank texts and messages
Why is cyberbullying so concerning?
Cyberbullying allows the perpetrator to harass their victim even when they’re not in the same physical space. So while with normal bullying the victim can escape by walking away, cyberbullying allows the bully to relentlessly hound their victim, wherever they go and it can be 24/7.
A digital image, message or piece of footage can be shared easily among millions of people and once it’s ‘out there’, it might be impossible to retract.
How to spot the signs
While playground bullying may have a physical aspect which makes it easier to spot, cyberbullying is by its nature non-physical.
However, it’s still worth keeping an eye out for these signs:
Some things to look out for:
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Mood swings and apparent changes in personality and relationships with other people
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A change in their relationship with e-mails, mobiles and social networking sites – e.g. suddenly losing interest in opening emails or being upset after using the internet or their mobile phone
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Constant anxiety or nervousness
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Depression
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Tearfulness for no apparent reason
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Lack of confidence and negative self-image
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Hostility and defensiveness
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General symptoms of ill health
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Bedwetting
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Injuries that a child cannot or will not give a convincing explanation for – these may be self-inflicted
What can you do?
Talk to your children and understand the ways in which they’re using the internet and their mobile phone. Make sure they know how to use this technology safely and responsibly.
Be aware that by forwarding on emails, videos and images your child is as likely to be an unwitting accessory to cyberbullying as the actual target.
Other ways you can help your child:
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Assure them that they are not to blame and remind them not to retaliate
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Help them use the safety features on their phone and internet to block upsetting messages. Ensure that privacy settings are set to high to stop unwanted contact
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Tell them to keep evidence of offending emails, text messages or online conversations
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Contact the child’s school if the cyberbullying involves another pupil so that they can take appropriate action. All schools have policies for dealing with bullying
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Contact the service provider and report the cyberbullying
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If the cyberbullying is serious then a criminal offence may have may have occurred, then you should consider contacting the police
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Contact ParentLine Plus on 0808 800 2222 if you want to talk to someone about it