MSN, text messaging, My Space, Flickr, You Tube—it’s hard to even keep track of the different ways kids communicate today. Your daughter might seem safely tucked away in her room, but if she has a computer or cell phone she could be bullied in her own home.
What is Cyber-bullying?
Cyber-bullying is the use of information and communication technologies, like cell phones and web sites, to harm someone. Bullies use this technology to harass victims anywhere, at all hours, in wide circles, at warp speed.
A cyber-bully can be someone the victim knows or a complete stranger. It is easy for a cyber-bully to pose as a friend to obtain private information. Although cyber-bullying is a problem amongst teenagers, there are some reports of cyber bullies as young as 8 or 9.
Cyber-bullying and online harassment can take many forms:
- Flaming is the act of sending or posting messages deliberately hostile and insulting messages usually on an online discussion board or web page.
- Cyber-stalking is the act of using electronic means to stalk someone, either via live chat, flaming, sending unsolicited e-mails/viruses in order to get a response from their victim.
- Outing someone means publicly disclosing personal characteristics, such as political affiliation, sexual orientation or religion, or other private secrets
- Often, denigration, impersonation, trickery or exclusion are used to intimidate, threaten and humilate victims of cyber-bulling.
Where can cyber-bullying messages and images be posted?
- web sites
- blogs
- transmitted via email
- discussion groups
- during chats
- in instant/private messages
- via text
- via picture phones
