Cyber Bullying

CYBER BULLYING

Cyber Bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support delibrate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group that is intended to harm others (Balsey, 2004)



Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumours sent by email or posted social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or face profile. There are different forms of cyberbullying. These forms include harassment, impersonation, outing, trickery, exclusion, cyberstalking, and cyber threats.Victims of cyberbullying are bullied from the moment they wake up and check their phone or laptop to the time they go to bed and shut off their devices. 

Cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying  due to the anonymity that the internet can provide. People can post what they like, be who they want and all behind a screen. The negative aspect about cyberbullying is that it often outside of the legal reach of schools and school boards since it often happens outside of the school 

The following figures have emerged in a global survey of almost 5,000 teenagers across 11 countries, including ireland.

- Almost half or irish teens said they felt helpless when cyberbullying happened to them, with three in ten admitting to feeling completely alone.

- As many as 25%, one in four, of those who had been cyberbullied went so far as to expreince suicidal thoughts as a result.

- Nine in ten irish teens said they would find it easier to cope with cyberbullying if they received support from their friends on social media.

- However, four in ten admitted that they would find it hard to find the right words to support a friend who was being bullied online



TIPS ONLINE

• Think about what you write or photos you add.
• Ask yourself, could these words be picked up the wrong way or cause upset? Is this photo suitable for lots of people to see? 
• if you post something online and 'comments' or 'chat' becomes cruel, remove your post so you are not part of a negative situation.
• Always ask yourself would you like this to be read about yourself, It puts it into perspective and avoids any type of negativity situation.
• Always be careful online and remember that words don't just hurt but can kill.