Nicole Yetter, Ed.D.
School Counselor/Safe Schools
THE CYBER BULLYING VIRUS
Cyberbullying
What is Cyber Bullying?
Bullying through email, instant
messaging, in a chat room, on a
Web site, or through digital
messages or images sent to a cell
phone.
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Traditional Bullying Versus
Cyber Bullying

3 similar characteristics:

Aggressiveness

Power imbalance

Repetitiveness

but…
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Traditional Bullying Versus
Cyber Bullying

5 different characteristics:
○ Anonymity
○ Accessibility
○ Punitive fears
○ Bystanders
○ Disinhibition
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Common Forms of Cyber Bullying
Harassment
 Denigration
 Flaming
 Impersonation
 Outing and trickery
 Cyber stalking

Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Harassment

Repeatedly sending offensive, rude,
and insulting messages
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Denigration

Distributing information about another that is
derogatory and untrue

Posting the information on a Web page or
sending it to others via email or instant
messaging

Posting or sending digitally altered photos of
someone
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Flaming

Online “fighting” using electronic
messages with angry, vulgar
language
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Impersonation

Breaking into an email account and
sending vicious or embarrassing
material to others
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Outing and Trickery

Sharing someone’s secrets or
embarrassing information

Tricking someone into revealing secrets
or embarrassing information and
forwarding the information to others
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Cyber Stalking

Repeatedly sending messages that
include threats of harm or are highly
intimidating

Engaging in other online activities
that make a person afraid for his or
her safety
Source: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Tips to Prevent Cyberbullying

Set clear school guidelines for Internet use

Teach students about ethical and legal standards for
online activities

Update policies to include guidelines for Internet and
cell phone use and consequences for cyberbullying
and online cruelty

Make reporting of cyberbullying and online hate
incidents a requirement

Establish confidential reporting mechanisms
Source: www.adl.org
Tips to Prevent Cyberbullying

Devise supervision and monitoring practices of
students’ Internet use on school computers

Educate students about cyberbullying and
discuss strategies for reacting to cyberbullying
as targets and as bystanders

Promote empathy, ethical decision-making
skills and respect among students

Increase awareness of Internet safety
strategies among students and their families
Source: www.adl.org
Intervention Tips

Take action immediately when cyberbullying
takes place

Save the e-mail or other evidence

Assess the nature and extent of the problem

Determine appropriate consequences for the
perpetrators in accordance with school policies
Source: www.adl.org
Intervention Tips

Report extremely harmful online speech, such as
harassment, stalking or threats of violence, to the police

Discuss the incident and consequences with the
perpetrators’ families to establish consistent expectations
at home and in school

Provide social skills education and counseling to
perpetrators

Inform school-based mental health professionals to assist
the targets and the targets’ families in coping with the
impact of the incident
Source: www.adl.org
Sexting

Sending sexually suggestive messages
or images to others via cell phone,
email, or posting them on social
websites such as Facebook and
MySpace.
Source: www.netsmartz.com
Mom Loses Daughter Over 'Sexting
Jessica Logan
Source: www.youtube.com
Tips to Prevent Sexting

Think about the consequences

Never take images of yourself that you would not want
anyone to see

Think before you hit send

If you forward, you are responsible

Report any inappropriate pictures you may receive
Source: www.netsmartz.com
Take Home Message

Send/Post appropriate text, email, or picture messages only.

Do not give out your address, password or other personal
information.

Do not respond to an inappropriate message/text.

Tell an adult you trust

Be aware of your surroundings and understand when talking
or texting is appropriate and when it is not.

Be a Good Online Citizen and do not do anything that hurts
other people or is against the law.