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What is cyber bullying?
Cyber bullying is the term used when someone is bullied through interactive and digital technology such as the use of mobile phones or computers. Below is a list of the different methods of cyber bullying.
- Text messaging bullying
- Insulting or threatening texts
- Picture/Video clip bullying
- Embarrassing pictures/videos often of you being humiliated, threatened or assaulted (known as ‘happy slapping’)
- Phone call bullying
- Silent calls (when the caller persistently calls you but withholds their number and does not speak)
- Abusive verbal messages
- Email bullying
- Abusive messaging
- Inappropriate postings
- Chat room bullying
- Abusive messages
- Inappropriate postings
- Bullying through instant messaging
- Abusive messaging
- Inappropriate postings
- Bullying through websites
- Threats of violence (Threatening behaviour or harassment is a police matter)
- Hate campaigns
The use of modern technology such as the Internet and mobiles can make you feel like you have no escape because it is not confined to just the classroom or workplace. This can make it difficult to deal with so remember to talk to someone you trust. If you get caught up in cyber bullying your school, the police and workplace will take this seriously.
Text messaging bullying
- Don’t reply to abusive messages.
- Report obscene or abusive messages to your mobile network.
- Keep the messages – store them in a folder on your phone or computer.
Picture/Video clip bullying
- Be careful about all private pictures and videos that you send as they may be forwarded onto someone else or posted on the internet.
- Don’t let others film or take photos of you, if this happens at school then tell your parents or a teacher.
Phone call bullying
- If you get persistent abusive or nuisance calls then consider changing your mobile number through your network provider.
- Report nuisance calls to your mobile network or the police.
Email bullying
- If you receive abusive emails from someone that you know then the chances are they are looking for a reaction. If you ignore them, they will probably stop. Tell your parent, carer or teacher if they are persistent and keep a log of the content, date and time of all emails. It might help to print out copies of any abusive emails.
- If you receive abusive emails from someone that you don’t know then you should not reply.
- If you get persistent emails you can contact the service provider by putting abuse@ in-front of the host e.g. abuse@yahoo.com, abuse@hotmail.com, abuse@gmail.com
- If you receive junk emails known as SPAM you should not reply. Do not click on links that state ‘click here to stop receiving these messages’ as this confirms your email address is real.
Chat room bullying
- Never give out personal information about you or your family
- Don’t reply to abusive postings
- Know how to report/block a user. Most chat rooms have a moderator so read about this before you start chatting.
Instant messenger bullying
- Only chat to friends that you know and trust
- Learn how to use the block or moderation facility
- Don’t respond to abusive messages
- Be careful about the content of pictures and videos you send as they may end up being posted on the internet
- Never share your password – treat like your toothbrush!
Bullying through websites and blogs (online diaries)
- If you discover a website which contains abusive comments, threats or inappropriate images of you then you should seek advice from your teacher, parent or carer.
- Pages should be stored in your favourites and printed as evidence.
- Contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP) responsible for hosting the website.
- Ensure you know how to report abuse on the social networks you use. Facebook users can email abuse@facebook.com to report abuse or unwelcome contact.
Think before you post...
How to report cyber bullying
If you are in immediate danger or want urgent help call 999 or contact your local police. Otherwise you can report any instance of sexual contact or harmful material to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. Some chat rooms, social networks and instant messaging sites have the following logo providing you with instant access to help and advice, as well as the ability to report these instances. You are doing the right thing and by taking this action, you may not only help yourself but also help make other people safer as well.
Help lines
- Connexions Direct - 080 800 13 2 19, text 07766 4 13 2 19
- ChildLine - 0800 1111
- ACAS - 08457 474747 (For people who are being bullied at work)
Useful websites
ChildLine
Information on a whole range of issues. if you have a worry you can't cope with you can contact ChildLine at any time.
Think U Know
Information on mobiles, social networking, blogs and other technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. Advice on what to do if you feel you are being cyberbullied.
Need 2 Know – Bullying
If you are being bullied, or feel you are bullying others, this site can help you to find out how to sort out the situation you are in and where to go for help.
Mencap
Mencap’s ‘Don’t stick it, stop it!’ campaign offers information and support against the bullying of young people with a learning disability.
Anti-bullying Alliance
Brings together over 60 organisations who work to stop bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.
Click Clever Click Safe
The UK council for child internet safety.
Last updated: 06/01/11
Your Comments
Posted - 08:06, 16 Jun 2009
its not fair that people bully otherpeople andi always get the blame for it and it is just not fair
Posted - 01:48, 12 Oct 2009
tell some one
Posted - 01:49, 12 Oct 2009
tell someone if u get bullyed
Posted - 01:49, 12 Oct 2009
tell some one
Posted - 09:49, 21 Oct 2009
tell someone
Posted - 04:06, 12 Nov 2009
always tell some one u trust
Posted - 10:05, 12 Nov 2009
don't be scared and have confidence on you'r self
Posted - 09:47, 18 Nov 2009
call the local auothirities
Posted - 11:43, 18 Jan 2010
make sure you love yourself and dont care about what they say
Posted - 11:47, 18 Jan 2010
always tell the bully how you feel
Posted - 11:08, 19 Jan 2010
LAUGH AT IT ! YOUR PART OF IT !
Posted - 03:59, 17 Mar 2010
call the authourities ive been through it, it hurts ur feelings so much
Posted - 11:56, 05 May 2010
im not a bully OK.
im coool :)
Posted - 11:58, 05 May 2010
I just feel degraged i need help help me
Posted - 09:08, 07 May 2010
Hi thanks for your comments. Nobody should be made to feel degraded so it is important that you talk to someone you trust such as a parent, teacher or close friend. You can talk confidentially to a personal adviser based at one of our Connexions Centres. Details of your nearest centre can be found from the left hand navigation ‘Connexions Centres’. Connexions
Posted - 09:32, 09 Jul 2010
heyyy x
Posted - 09:50, 05 Oct 2010
I have been getting bullied for the last 2 years all over a boy i was going out with. Because he was a different race to me it's started up. People at school acted childish and imopropate for the age thinking that it was their relationship to deal with and mess up. I am currentlyin year 11 and the problem got so bad i didnt want to come to school with with help and support from friends, family and my boyfriend i decided to come back into a place at school called student support. Since i have been back the problem started up again and then stopped but with all the bother knocked my confidence from me and i was too scared to go into lessons. Even at this moment they are still trying to get me into lessons but why should i to face all this bother again. But there is away round things and that people that get bullied shouldnt be put down by the people that do it. I know what it's like and have faced it for myself but best thing to do is to beat the bullies and not let them get better than you. Bullies are people who are lonley and sad who enjoy bullying others to make their life a little happier or just to look hard but do you know what 'Bullie's get no where in life and will never will'' x
Posted - 01:27, 07 Oct 2010
Hi we are sorry to read that this has happened to you and you are correct in saying you should not let the bully beat you. If you are not already, it is important that you talk to someone about your current situation. A Connexions Personal Adviser is available to provide advice and support about who you can go to for help. You can visit your local Connexions Centre, details available from the left hand navigation under ‘Connexions Centres’, or speak to the Personal Adviser linked to your school. You can also talk confidentially to Connexions Direct www.connexions-direct.com on 0800 800 13 2 19 or ChildLine www.childline.org.uk on 0800 1111. Connexions PA
Posted - 10:03, 14 Oct 2010
at least when the bullys older there clearly not going to have a good life … they think hurting other people will make there lives better, so just remember that everything will be okay and talk to the people that you trust and will be there for you.
Posted - 01:03, 07 Apr 2011
i got bullied and it felt like it was ruining my life all i had to do was tell someone and it was over all the voices in my head
Posted - 12:44, 10 May 2011
dnt feel bad about getting bullied tell someone if you are now
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Posted - 05:53, 20 May 2009
u shouldn't be a bully because 1 day some 1 is gonna turn round nd pick on u